Lot 016 A RARE PALE CELADON JADE ‘NOTCHED’ DISC (XUANJI) LATE NEOLITHIC TO SHANG DYNASTY STYLE

Description

A RARE PALE CELADON JADE ‘NOTCHED’ DISC (XUANJI)
LATE NEOLITHIC TO SHANG DYNASTY STYLE
新石器时代晚期至商代风格 青玉带沁三牙璇玑
MEASUREMENTS
D. 5.1 cm (2.0 in.); Thickness: 0.6 cm (0.2 in.)
ESTIMATE
USD 3,200 — 4,500
HKD 25,000 — 35,000
DESCRIPTION
The jade is of an elegant pale celadon tone, now beautifully transformed by significant areas of opaque white calcification (“chicken-bone white”, jigubai) and earthy mineral encrustations. This rare “notched” disc, known as a Xuanji, is characterized by its central circular aperture and three prominent, uniformly spaced flanges (teeth) protruding from the outer rim.
The flanges are subtly curved, following the centrifugal momentum of the disc—a hallmark of early ritual jade craftsmanship. The surface remains undecorated, emphasizing the powerful silhouette and the natural beauty of the lithic material. The stone exhibits a sophisticated waxy patina and characteristic signs of burial, reflecting its profound ritualistic significance in early Chinese cosmology.
描述
此器取材青玉，质地温润。经长期埋藏，局部呈现显著的**“鸡骨白”钙化沁色，并伴有自然矿物结晶受沁，入土特征极其鲜明。器型呈扁平环状，中心开孔对穿，外缘依顺时针方向均匀分布三个同向旋出的牙脊，俗称“璇玑”或“三牙璧”**。
牙脊曲线流畅，兼具张力与韵律感，展现了先民早期原始而深邃的几何美学。整器光素无纹，厚度达0.6厘米，用料扎实，更加凸显出器型本身的雕塑感与玉质的天然之美。包浆厚实老到，沁色深浅自然交织。作为高古玉中极具神秘色彩的品类，此件璇玑充满了早期礼制文明的厚重气息。
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Xuanji is one of the most enigmatic ritual objects of ancient China, with its origins stretching back to the Dawenkou and Longshan cultures. While its exact function remains debated, scholars frequently associate it with early astronomical instruments or ceremonial tools used to harmonize with the movements of the celestial bodies. The triple-notched form represents a mastery of early geometric abstraction. Similar examples of notched jade discs are held in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, confirming its status as a core artifact in the study of early Chinese ritual and science.
璇玑是中国古代玉器中最具神秘感的品类之一，其起源可追溯至大汶口与龙山文化。关于其功能，学术界常将其与古代天文观测仪器或祭祀礼仪联系在一起，认为其象征着天体的旋转运行。这种“三牙”造型体现了史前先民对天文秩序的早期认知。台北故宫博物院《敬天格物》中藏有类似形制之璇玑，是研究早期华夏文明礼制与原始科学思想的重要实物。
PROVENANCE
• Private Collection, Canada.
• 加拿大私人珍藏。
CONDITION REPORT
• Condition: Overall good archaic condition. Prominent natural calcification, pitting, and mineral encrustations consistent with Neolithic/Shang origins. The three notches are well-preserved with characteristic softening of the edges. No apparent modern restorations.
• 状况： 整体品相良好。表面见自然的钙化沁色、土蚀痕迹及矿物沉积，反映出显著的时代风化特征。牙脊保存完整，边缘圆润自然。经检测无后期人为修补。