Lot 015 A CELADON JADE ‘TWIN DRAGONS’ BI-DISC (CHU KUO BI) STYLE OF HAN DYNASTY

Description

A CELADON JADE ‘TWIN DRAGONS’ BI-DISC (CHU KUO BI)
STYLE OF HAN DYNASTY
汉代风格 青玉带“水银沁”双龙出廓璧
MEASUREMENTS
L. 4.9 cm (1.9 in.); W. 3.0 cm (1.2 in.); D. 0.58 cm (0.2 in.)
ESTIMATE
USD 1,500 — 2,300
HKD 12,000 — 18,000
DESCRIPTION
Carved from a translucent celadon jade, this bi-disc features significant areas of deep russet and dark brown inclusions, traditionally referred to as “mercury staining” (shuiyin qin), which lend the piece a distinguished archaic character. The central disc is meticulously worked in low relief with a dense pattern of interlocking cloud motifs (goulian yunwen), characteristic of the sophisticated Han lapidary style.
The disc is flanked by two asymmetrical “out-of-the-rim” (chu-kuo) archaistic dragons in openwork. The dragon on the right is rendered with a powerful arched neck and finely incised facial details, while the left dragon presents a more stylized, elegantly curled silhouette. The stone possesses a substantial thickness of 0.58 cm and a smooth, waxy patina, reflecting the robust yet refined aesthetic of the period.
描述
此件出廓璧取材青玉，质地温润通透。器表局部带有深邃的红褐色及黑褐色沁斑，即所谓的**“水银沁”，色泽深沉古雅，入土特征鲜明。璧身中心圆环处以减地浮雕工艺满饰勾连云纹**，构图严谨有序，线条劲挺，体现了典型的汉代治玉风格。
璧身左右两侧以镂空透雕工艺装饰**“出廓”双龙**：右侧龙首高昂，龙颈曲折有力，动态十足；左侧龙形则更为抽象卷曲，与右侧形成不对称的灵动美感。整器厚度达0.58厘米，用料考究，包浆醇厚。沁色与玉色相互交融，过渡极其自然，展现了高古玉器雄浑大气与空灵婉转并蓄的艺术造诣。
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Chu Kuo Bi represents an artistic pinnacle where ritual geometry meets mythical zoomorphic forms. In the Han dynasty, such jade discs were not only ritual vessels but also served as elite status symbols, often worn as the centerpiece of a complex pendant set (zupei). The “mercury staining”—likely a result of the jade reacting with organic materials in the tomb—is highly prized by connoisseurs for the dramatic visual contrast it creates against the celadon ground. Similar examples of Han-style openwork discs are documented in “The Complete Works of Chinese Jades”, illustrating their historical importance in the evolution of Chinese ritual art.
出廓璧是汉代玉文化中浪漫主义色彩的集中体现。其“出廓”部分打破了礼器原有的封闭构图，象征着生命力的扩张与精神的升华。此璧所带有的“水银沁”不仅是岁月留下的真伪标识，更因其墨色斑斓而备受藏家青睐。此类双龙不对称的设计在古玉中独具匠心，既保留了金石之气，又兼具文房雅玩的意趣，是研究汉代玉器美学体系不可多得的实物。
PROVENANCE
• Private Collection, Montreal.
• 蒙特利尔私人珍藏。
CONDITION REPORT
• Condition: Overall good archaic condition. Natural inclusions and heavy russet/mercury staining throughout the stone consistent with age. The jade possesses a warm, aged luster with no modern restorations. Minor expected surface wear.
• 状况： 整体品相良好。表面见自然的受沁及深色“水银沁”痕迹，符合高古玉真实老化特征。玉质温润，无后期修复。边缘见自然的微小磨损，保存状况理想。