Dagger-axe (ge 戈)

Object Details

• Description

  Large emblematic weapon of the type ko [ge] (one chip missing). Opaque nephrite mottled and striped in shades of gray and yellow gray. Carved and engraved with parallel ridges and lines in various patterns; a conical perforation in the tang.

  Acquired with an inscribed wooden box.

• Provenance

  1903

  Reportedly unearthed at Qishan ??, Fengxiang xian ???, Shaanxi ?? Province; said to be from the grave of the first Duke of Shao (Shao gong ?? ), Shi ?, the Taibao ?? [1]

  To 1911

  Duanfang (1861-1911), Beijing, China [2]

  1911-1917

  Descendants of Duanfang, Beijing, China inherited upon Duanfang's death [3]

  1917

  You Xiaoxi ??? (late 19th century -- mid-20th century), Shanghai, purchased from Duangfang's family [4]

  1917-1919

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Seaouke Yue [5]

  From 1920

  Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [4]

  Notes:

  [1] According to Curatorial Remark 2 in the object record. This object was first published in the West in Berthold Laufer, Jade: A Study in Chinese Archaeology and Religion (Chicago: Field Museum of Natural History, 1912), pl. IX, pp. 40-41. Laufer saw this object in Beijing while it was still in the possession of Tuan Fang [Duanfang] ?? (see documentation in accession file,

  F1918.1, Paragraph 2) from whom he obtained a photograph of it and information to the effect that it "was dug up in 1903 not far from the old city in Feng siang fu / Feng hsiang Fu [Fengxiang fu] ??? in Shensi [Shaanxi] ?? province from a considerable depth . . ."

  [2] See notes 1 and 3.

  [3] See letter from You Xiaoxi (Seaouke Yue) to Charles Lang Freer, May 13, 1917, Charles Lang Freer Papers, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives, copy in object file. In this letter, Yue explains that that Duanfang's family will sell the jade sword.

  [4] See Original Miscellaneous List, pg. 307, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives. See also cablegram from Seaouke Yue to Charles Lang Freer, August 6, 1917, Charles Lang Freer Papers, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives, copy in object file. The cablegram confirms that that sword and other "curios" has been packed and sent to Detroit from China via Wells Fargo.

  [5] See note 4.

  [6] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Afterlife: Ancient Chinese Jades (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)

  Ancient Chinese Jades and Bronzes (November 20, 2010 to January 3, 2016)

  Ancient Chinese Bronzes (May 9, 1993 to February 10, 1997)

  Ancient Chinese Jade (September 4, 1980 to March 6, 1981)

  Chinese Bronze, Jade, Metalwork (March 1, 1957 to January 1, 1963)

  Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 14 and 15 (February 25, 1956 to March 1, 1957)

  Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Jade and Bronze (August 26, 1955 to October 25, 1955)

  Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1946 (May 7, 1946 to February 25, 1956)

  Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1945 (January 9, 1945 to August 20, 1955)

  Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1944 (December 13, 1944 to May 7, 1946)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Art, 1944 (November 15, 1944 to May 6, 1946)

  Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1943 (March 22, 1943 to November 17, 1944)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Metalwork (March 14, 1931 to March 22, 1943)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Duanfang 端方 (1861-1911)

  Descendants of Duanfang (20th century)

  You Xiaoxi 游篠溪 (late 19th-early 20th century)

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)

• Origin

  Probably Henan province, China

• Culture

  Erlitou culture, ca. 2000-1600 BCE

• Credit Line

  Gift of Charles Lang Freer

• Type

  Ceremonial Object

• On View

  Freer Gallery 19: Afterlife: Ancient Chinese Jades

• Restrictions and Rights

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 2000s, BCE 1000s

• Name

  Duanfang, Descendants of, Freer, Charles Lang, You, Xiaoxi, Duanfang

• Place

  China, Henan province

• Topic

  Art, Chinese Art, Erligang period, Early Shang dynasty (ca. 1600 - ca. 1400 BCE)

• Culture

  Erlitou culture, Chinese

• Object Type

  Ceremonial objects

• On View

  Yes