Disque, M.C. 7314(2), Entre -2100 et -1700

Date of production: between -2100 and -1700 type(s) of object(s): beliefs - customs - cults - ceremonies, archaeology, sculpture, china name(s): symbolic object materials and techniques: jade (nephrite) place(s) of execution/realization: shandong (province) dimensions - artwork: height: 12. 9cm width: 12. 9cm thickness: 0. 2cm description: the absence of information on the provenance of this nephrite disk poses multiple problems of interpretation and identification. The function of such an object as well as its meaning remain in fact impossible to establish today, despite the abundance of avian iconographies on jades from the end of the neolithic and the similarities between the ternary distribution of the decoration and that observable on the notched discs probably derived from the ornaments of the hongshan culture (around 5000 – 3000 bce). On the other hand, a consensus seems to be established on its dating. Several plaques presenting the same type of openwork work, incised geometric patterns and outer edges punctuated by hooks have been found in archaeological sites in shandong, but also in hubei and hunan. Recent progress in archeology has led neolithic specialists to view these sites in central china as belonging to a specific culture, known as shijiahe, and to reattribute to the latter or its extensions multiple jades previously thought to come exclusively from shandong. This is the case of this disc from the cernuschi museum, now considered to belong to the post-shijiahe culture (around 2100-1700 bce). Iconographic description: decorated with a bird of prey with widely spread wings and widely overflowing openwork interlacing. Mode of acquisition: purchase date of acquisition: 28–08–1926 institution: cernuschi museum, museum of asian arts of the city of paris inventory number: m. C. 7314. Date: Entre -2100 et -1700.