Disque archaïque cranté en Jade, xuanji époque Néolithique - Dynastie Shang, ca. 2000 - 1500 avant J.-C.

la pierre découpée en forme de disque percé au centre d'une large ouverture centrale aux bords lisses, les bords extérieurs sculptés de trois crans crénelés et dentés formant trois arcs, chaque arc se terminant en une dent acérée, la pierre translucide au doux poli d'une couleur jaune clair ponctuée de taches blanchâtres, D.W 3272

Arts de La Chine Ancienne, Musée de l’Orangerie, Paris, 1937, no. 88.

Georges Salles, Arts de La Chine Ancienne, Paris, 1937, cat. no. 88 (not illustrated). 

The disc is in overall very good condition. It is well-carved and both sides well polished. The stone translucent under light and of a pale yellowish-brown tone. There are minor fritts to the edges of the notches and cutting marks on one side of the disc. The inventory number is inscribed in black on the interior rim.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Of smaller size, this notched disc has an entirely different character from the large notched disc in the David-Weill Collection (lot 24). The deep grooves have bifurcated ends and the series of serrations almost entirely follow the length of each arc giving the disc a very dynamic character. The slightly translucent jade links it to two discs of similar size from the Winthrop Collection, illustrated in Max Loehr and Louisa G. Fitzgerald Huber, Ancient Chinese Jades from the Grenville L. Winthrop Collection in the Fogg Museum, Harvard. University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1972, nos. 106 and particularly 107; and an example from the Hotung Collection, published in Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1995, p. 163, no. 8:1.