Shang dynasty (c. 1600 - 1100 BC)

The bi is made of three segments cut from the same block of jade, with a hole pierced at each end.

Diam: 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm.) without stand

H: 9 1/4 in. (23 cm.) with stand

For a similar example in the British Museum, see Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Qing (Chicago, 2002), p. 158-9, cat. no. 7:9.

[cat. no. 3]

Price on request