Dagger-axe (ge 戈)

Object Details

• Description

  Large emblematic weapon of the type ko [ge] 戈 (Broken in two and mended; one chip missing). Mottled gray, black and brownish nephrite, somewhat translucent; decorative band of parallel and criss-cross lines engraved on the butt of the blade; a conical perforation in the tang; inscription of thirty characters.

  Acquired with a wooden box, lid now lost.

• Label

  This is one of the largest jades to survive from ancient China. While the shape is based on early Bronze Age weapons, its exceptional size and thinness indicate it was a symbol of power meant for public display, not battle. The incised inscription near the base of the blade—rare among early jades—commemorates the Taibao’s successful mission to the south during the early years of the Zhou dynasty. In appreciation, the king presented this valued antique blade to the Grand Protector, who had it inscribed with a new text.

  In the sixth month on the day bingyin the king was at Feng [west of modern Xi’an]. He ordered the Taibao to inspect the southern states along the Han [River]. . . . [He] commanded the Lord of Li to assist, using one hundred infantrymen.

• Provenance

  Reportedly presented to the first Duke of Shao (Shao gong 召公 ), Shih [Shi] 奭 [1]

  1903

  Reportedly unearthed at Qishan 岐山, Fengxiang xian 鳳翔縣, Shaanxi 陝西 Province; said to be from the grave of the first Duke of Shao (Shao gong 召公 ), Shi 奭, the Taibao 太保 [2]

  1903

  Wu Ching-t'ing 武敬亭 (Wu Jingting) [3]

  To 1911

  Duanfang (1861-1911), Beijing, China [4]

  1911 - 1918

  Descendants of Duanfang, Beijing, China [5]

  1918 - 1919

  You Xiaoxi 游篠溪 (late 19th century - mid-20th century), Shanghai, China purchased from Duanfang's family in October 1918 [6]

  1917 - 1919

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Seaouke Yue in 1919 [7]

  From 1920

  Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [8]

  Notes:

  [1] See object's inscription and Pang Huaijing 龐懷靖,

  "Pa T'ai pao yu ke [Ba Taibao yuge] 跋太保玉戈," in K'ao-ku yu wen-wu [Kaogu yu wenwu] 考古與文物 1986.1, pp. 70-73.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] See note 1.

  [4]

  This jade was formerly in the collection of Duanfang 端方

  and was published in his posthumous T'ao chai ku-yu t'u [Taozhai guyu tu] 陶齋古玉圖, vol. 1 (Shanghai: Laiqingge, 1936), pp. 84--85, where it is called a "jade sword 玉刀.

  See also, curatorial notes in accession file F1918.1.

  [5] You Xiaoxi (Seaouke Yue) sold several objects that were part of Duanfang's collection from 1916-1919; he acquired these objects through the family of Duanfang. Seaouke Yue cites the Duanfang provenance in documentation from the American Consular Service, see:

  "Special Certificate from American Consular Service," signed by Charles E. Kline, American Vice Counsul, May 20, 1919, copy in object file. This object is included in the inventory of box II as number 63. In this certificate, Yue states that he acquired from the Duanfang [Tuan Fang] collection in October of 1918.

  [6] See note 4

  and S.I. 1392, Original Miscellaneous List, pg. 323, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.

  [7] See note 5. Upon purchased from Seaouke Yue, Freer had this object - and others purchased from Yue at the same time - immediately shipped to the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. See: "Special Certificate from American Consular Service," cited in note 4.

  [8] 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)

  Writing, Carving and Rubbing: China’s Calligraphic Arts (April 4 to October 25, 2009)

  Palaces and Pavilions: Grand Architecture in Chinese Painting (September 29, 2002 to March 30, 2003)

  Year of the Horse: Chinese Horse Paintings (February 24 to September 2, 2002)

  A Brief History of Chinese Writing (April 26, 2000 to February 9, 2002)

  Chinese Metalwork (May 9, 1993 to March 21, 1997)

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

  American Paintings (September 8, 1961 to May 2, 1973)

  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

  Wu Ching-t'ing 武敬亭

  Duanfang 端方 (1861-1911)

  Descendants of Duanfang (20th century)

  You Xiaoxi 游篠溪 (late 19th-early 20th century) (C.L. Freer source)

  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

  CC0 - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0)

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 2000s, BCE 1000s

• Name

  Wu, Ching-t'ing, Duanfang, Descendants of, Freer, Charles Lang, You, Xiaoxi, Duanfang

• Place

  China, Henan province

• Topic

  Charles Lang Freer collection, Art, Chinese Art, Erligang period, Early Shang dynasty (ca. 1600 - ca. 1400 BCE), Nephrite, Jade

• Culture

  Erlitou culture, Chinese

• Object Type

  Ceremonial objects

• On View

  Yes