Ancient Chinese Jade Astronomical Disk (Xuanji) Imortality Heaven w/Characters

Chinese Jade “Xuanji” Ritual Astronomical Disk

Ancient Ancestor Notched Jade Disk

English Translation of Ancient Characters

Hongshan Culture

c. 3500 BC—2200 BC

SUMMARY

This ceremonial Jade Disc is a ritual Astronomical Disk (Hsuan Chi or Xuanji in Chinese) and dates approximately to the Hongshan Culture of ancient China, 3500 BC to 2200 BC.  It measures approximately 4.12” (105 mm) in diameter x .26” (6.7 mm) thick.  It has the period correct cone-shaped hole in the center that measures 13 mm in diameter.  The solid nephrite jade disk weighs 4.0 oz. (113 gr.) and shows heavy pitting and differential weathering from its burial in damp soil for thousands of years.

The jade disk is believed to have been a precious religious and/or ceremonial object that was offered as a sacrifice to the Ancestors of the deceased in hopes that they would guide the soul of the deceased into eternal life in Heaven.  Jade artifacts like this one were often buried in tombs with the deceased.  The notched disk is thought to represent three stars in the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor). The star at the end of the Little Dipper handle is Polaris, the North Star and the brightest in the sky.  The "Shu Ching" says it is the instrument for observing the constellations and that this jade instrument can be rotated when viewing the Heavens.

The central hole was seen as a window to the Heavens, Ancestors, and Gods (“Shên ” in Chinese).  There are several very small Chinese characters that were carved around the center hole in a circular fashion.  This disk served as an oracle or portal to one’s Ancestors in Heaven, in Chinese “Ti’en .”   This amazing jade disc also features three, deep notches on the outer edge of the disc that symbolize “Heaven, Earth, and Man.” 

English Translation of Characters

When this jade disk was professionally cleaned in China to remove excessive weathering, it exposed dozens of ancient characters that were cut into the jade.  Both sides of this jade disk have several wonderful ancient Chinese pictographic characters that predate the Ku-wen or “Large Seal Script” of a thousand years later.  The pictographic characters are very small and measure from 4 mm to 12 mm tall.  The characters are not in columns or rows, but rather are in a circular pattern around the center hole—the portal for the prayers to enter Heaven. 

Although this disc shows signs of extreme pitting and weathering, if you look carefully at the 4x macro photos and especially under 10x magnification, you will see various small characters that have been cut into the jade in low relief.  There are many ancient Chinese characters/pictographs, including those of:  ancestors, offering of animal sacrifices, a son’s offering for his father, an offering of wine and meat to the ancestors, temples, the presentation of a new-born child in the sight of an ancestor, libations of wine, and other offerings to the ancestors and gods.

Ancestors are depicted with circular or elongated heads with an eye in the center and a “Ω“ figure that is the Chinese character for a “cloud”—which is the home of the Ancestors.  The ghost-like Ancestors have the character “Ch’iao ” in the center of the “Ω“ that is a bent center line down the middle with 2 and 4 horizontal lines (respectively) on each center line.  This character represents an Ancestor who is having trouble breathing—thus is dead.  The ancient Chinese thought that once a person stopped breathing his soul had temporarily left the person body and the departed soul could be lured back to the body if appropriate sacrifices of food, water, jade, and bronze were made. The Ancestor characters are a clear and powerful reference to the spirit world of the departed souls and of the Ancestors. {REF: E.T.C. Werner, Myths and Legends of China, Chapter IV, The Gods of China; and Dr. Wieger, pg. 27}

Experts suggest that these ancestors are looking with benevolence at the offering of this lovely jade disc that has been offered as a sacrifice to honor them so that they may help the soul of the departed into the next world. 

DETAILS

Both sides of the Bi show signs of pitting and differential weathering, both accurate signs of being buried in the damp soil of China for over 5,000 years.  And look at the fantastic coloration of the once green nephrite jade that has turned a wonderful color of vibrant orange and brown from the iron and other elements and minerals in the soil that have absorbed into the porous jade over 5,000 years.  As noted above, the disk has been professionally cleaned in China in order to show the beauty of the jade and to expose the very tiny characters that had been carved into it.  This disk is a stunning, museum quality example of Neolithic Chinese art that displays magnificently and would look great in your collection!

At 4.12” in diameter, this is an exceptionally large disk and would only have been a gift to the Ancestors from a very wealthy and powerful person in ancient China. Such ritual gifts or sacrifices were left in the tombs of the departed or at shrines or temples on the surface near the tomb.  The ancient Chinese believed that such gifts would please the Ancestors, who could affect events in Heaven and on Earth, and protect them from Evil Spirits and Demons (“Kuei ” in Chinese) who were thought to inhabit both worlds.

This object is unconditionally guaranteed authentic. It has been legally imported to the United States., and is legal to sell and own under U.S. Statute Title 19, Chapter 14, Code 2611, Convention on Cultural Property.

Price & Value

  I have carefully examined this ancient jade statue and I GUARANTEE it to be 100% original and authentic or your money back! I’ve looked under 10x magnification under both natural and Black Light and I can find no signs of any modern tool work or repairs. The hand tool marks left in the jade by the master stone artist who carved, shaped, and engrave this work of art appear to be consistent with those marks of other ancient jades I have examined.

Each object I sell is professionally researched, translated (if I can...(smile), and compared with similar objects in the collections of the finest museums in the world. I have been dealing in fine antiquities for over 45 years and although certainly not an expert in every field, I have been honored to appraise, buy, collect, and enjoy and recently sell some of the finest ancient art in the world. When in doubt, I have worked with dozens of subject matter experts to determine the condition and authenticity of numerous antiquities and antiques. This careful examination helps to insure you are buying quality items and helps to protect your investment. There are many modern reproductions or "fakes" on the market today, so be sure and buy only from experts in the field.

Note: For reference on how to purchase authentic archaic jade, may I refer you to an excellent book published in 2009 by Stephen Payne called "How to Purchase Archaic Jade. " He shows in great detail how the experts determine the age and date of ancient Chinese Jade. This book is well worth the price if you are just starting your collection or if you are a seasoned "expert" and can be purchased on eBay. 

  Please examine the photos taken at 4x macro carefully as they are part of the description.

The stand and AA battery are not part of the auction, just included to give you a better perspective.

And please ask any questions before you buy. 

I GUARANTEE this statue is ancient and authentic or your money back! 

 Please examine the photos taken at 4x macro carefully as they are part of the description.

The stand and AA battery are not part of the auction, just included to give you a better perspective.

And please ask any questions before you buy. 

I GUARANTEE this statue is ancient and authentic or your money back! 

My wholesale price is at least 90% off what this amazing Chinese pendant would be priced at in a fine Gallery or at a private auction!!  And on eBay, you don't have to pay a 20% Buyers Fee that auction houses charge.

Note:  Please ask any questions you may have before you bid!  Thanks for Looking!

Per e-Bay's rules, PayPal only please!

THANKS!

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