A HAN-STYLE PALE CELADON JADE ‘CHILONG’ DISC PROBABLY SONG – MING DYNASTY

carved in openwork in the form of a coiling chilong, with a smaller chilong on its back, the pale yellowish-celadon stone mottled with faint calcified cloud inclusions

This rare disc is in overall good condition, with occasional minor nibbling along the edges. The right side of the disc is somewhat slimmer and partly calcified with some cloud inclusions in the stone (visible in the catalogue illustration).
"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."

The form of this piece recalls the mysterious Neolithic bi forms unearthed in excavations from at least the Song dynasty. The discs are said to represent the heavens and are endowed with profound cosmological significance. The chimerical and enigmatic kui dragons reference the motifs found on archaic pieces. For the prototype to this disc attributed to the Eastern Han dynasty, similarly carved with coiled dragons in an inner and outer ring, see one illustrated in Zhonguo yuqi quanji, vol. 4, Shijiazhuang, 1993, pl. 250.