36. Han Dynasty Open-worked Jade Bi, D. 36 cms, T. 0.7cm

本器和田青玉雕琢, 形制為鏤空玉璧, 內部鑲一右三部分組成的長方形體. 上下的長方形體飾神面及鳳鳥, 中央的長方形體中央有一相對外框中央較小圓形體較大的圓形體, 合起來表示五根擎天柱, 中央長方形體左右有一象徵通天之門的雙層長方形孔. 神面下方各飾一如意雲紋的拱門, 經過此門便可覲見神. 方形體與璧之間飾鳳鳥, 上下左右各兩隻, 共八隻, 連同神面左右的四隻, 共十二隻. 如此完成了一個天圓地方, 通天之門, 十二月令的人天體系. 本器雕工精湛, 細膩生動, 加以差異風化, 擴散暈沁色, 溶蝕孔, 石灰沁等古玉跡象明顯, 是到代大型鏤空玉璧精品.

The object is carved from green tone Hetian jade, inside the jade bi, there is a rectangular body composed of three parts. The upper and lower rectangular bodies are decorated with god faces and phoenix birds on both sides. The large round body, together, represents the five heaven’s pillars. There is a double-layered rectangular hole on the left and right of the central rectangular body, which symbolizes the gate to heaven. The lower part of the god’s face is decorated with arches with a cloud pattern, through which you can meet the gods. Between the square body and the bi, there are phoenix birds, two on each side, two on the top, bottom, left, and right, a total of eight, together with the four on the left and right of the god face, a total of twelve. In this way, a Heaven System is formed. The object is exquisite in carving, delicate and vivid, with different weathering, diffusive marking, and dissolved pits, this is an excellent Han open-work jades bi.