Jade. China, Han Dynasty, 2nd century BC 穀紋玉璧 - 漢代, 公元前2世紀 Compared to the previous disc, this one is thinner, delicate and more refined. Finely engraved lines form a border around the inner hole and the outer edge, framing the background pattern which is made of slightly etched cross-hatched designs and deeper engraved curls that cover the entire surface. Traces of the originally light green jade can be seen around the edges of the disc, but for the most part it is now so heavily altered that it has turned almost totally charcoal grey, with some diffused areas of white and light brown. The disc is also covered by a white patina that accentuates the shape of the lovely carved curls. Compare two discs with similar features sold at Galerie Zacke on 2 December, 2017, cat. nos.52 and 54. Provenance: From an old Austrian collection DIAMETER 14.8 CM - HOLE 6 CM 直径14.8 厘米 - 孔徑 6 厘米 Expertise: Univ. Prof. Filippo Salviati All jades in this catalogue have been professionally examined, authenticated and dated by Univ. Prof. Filippo Salviati. Professor Salviati teaches Chinese and Korean art at Sapienza University in Rome, in the Italian Institute of Oriental Studies. He is a world expert on archaic Chinese jades, having released multiple publications and being cited by renowned auction houses such as Sotheby’s.