St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art

Curator's Talk: Yupin Chung introduces a Jade Bi

Curator's Talk: Yupin Chung introduces a Jade Bi
Tickets
Free - Drop-in - no ticket required
Dates and times
12th Jul 2024
11:30AM - 12:00PM

The jade bi 璧 is thought to be a symbol of the circular sky or Heaven. Typically, a jade bi is a circular disc, about 33cm across, with a small round hole in the centre. Thousands of bi, too large to be worn as jewellery, have been unearthed in burial sites. Variations are apparent in the size of the discs, the quality of the stone used, the level of artistry, and the finish of the bi, yet their meaning, purpose, and ritual significance remain unknown.

In this talk, Yupin Chung, Curator of East Asian Art at the Burrell Collection, discusses one such object from that collection. 

Inspired by Professor W Perceval Yetts, Sir William Burrell (9 July 1861 – 29 March 1958) acquired a number of these bi largely for their aesthetic appeal at a time when very little was known of Liangzhu culture. This exquisite inscribed bi with a carved wood stand was sold to Burrell in 1948 by Charles Nott Ltd. 

Join Yupin to find out more about this intriguing artefact and the culture it came from.


Image: Jade bi © CSG CIC Glasgow Museums Collection.

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By train

The nearest local train station is High Street.

By bus

First Bus services 19, 19A, 38, 57 and 57A all stop near the museum.

On foot

The museum is located in the city centre, a short walk from Buchanan Street and Argyle Street. It is opposite Provand's Lordship and adjacent to Glasgow Cathedral.

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There is a bike rack to the rear of the museum on the cathedral precinct. There is a Nextbike stand on the corner of Cathedral Street (50m from museum).

 


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