Axe with masks (taotie)

Object Details

• Description

  Blade decorated with casting in relief. Broken off, and heavily encrusted with aerugo to which fragments of wood adhere. Other parts patinated with malachite and some azurite; areas of unaltered metal.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Anyang: China's Ancient City of Kings (February 25, 2023 to April 28, 2024)

• Origin

  Henan province, China

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Weapon and Armament

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 1000s

• Place

  China, Henan province

• Topic

  Bronze, Art, Sculpture, Chinese Art, Anyang period, Late Shang dynasty (ca. 1300 - 1050 BCE), Iron, Masks, Dragon, Metal-work

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Weapons, Armor (protective wear)