Dagger-axe (ge 戈) with masks (taotie) and dragons
![Detail of a pattern](https://asia.si.edu/wp-content/themes/custom/nmaa/nmaa-frontend/public/images/hero-bkgrnd-desktop.jpg)
Terms of Use
Usage Conditions ApplyAt A Glance
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Period
ca. 1200 BCE -
Geography
Anyang, probably Henan province, China -
Material
Bronze with turquoise inlay and jade (nephrite) blade -
Dimension
H x W x D (overall): 34.5 x 17.5 x 5.4 cm (13 9/16 x 6 7/8 x 2 1/8 in) -
Accession Number
F1940.10a-e -
EDAN ID
edanmdm:fsg_F1940.10a-e
Object Details
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Description
Ceremonial sickle in four parts: three of bronze inlaid with turquoise, one (the blade) of jade decorated in linear relief with notched back and ground edge. -
Provenance
From 1939 to 1940C. T. Loo & Company, New York from September 26, 1939 [1]From 1940Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from C. T. Loo & Company on May 3, 1940 [3]Notes:[1] See C. T. Loo's stockcard no. 86520: "Set of four pieces, bronze ornaments, Shang," C. T. Loo & Frank Caro Archive, Musée Guimet, Paris, copy in object file.According to information on the stockcard the object was inventoried on September 26, 1939. See also "List of objects owned by C. T. Loo & Co., New York and [left] at the Gallery for examination," with an annotation that the piece was delivered by Loo to the Freer Gallery on November 4, 1939, copy in object file.[3] See C. T. Loo's invoice, dated May 3, 1940, copy in object file. -
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection -
Exhibition History
Anyang: China's Ancient City of Kings (February 25, 2023 to April 28, 2024)Afterlife: Ancient Chinese Jades (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)Ancient Chinese Jades and Bronzes (November 20, 2010 to January 3, 2016)Chinese Bronze, Jade, Marble (March 1, 1957 to January 1, 1963)Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 14 and 15 (February 25, 1956 to March 1, 1957)Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1955 (October 24, 1955 to February 25, 1956)Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Art, 1955 (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, 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
C.T. Loo & Company (1914-1948) -
Origin
Anyang, probably Henan province, China -
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment -
Type
Ceremonial Object -
Restrictions and Rights
Usage Conditions Apply
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