Dagger-axe (ge 戈), fragment reworked

Object Details

• Description

  Ceremonial weapon: Short, broad blade of mottled gray and gray green nephrite; weapon type; one conical perforation pierced from both sides.

• Previous custodian or owner

  C.T. Loo & Company (1914-1948)

• Provenance

  Reportedly excavated in Anyang, Henan province, China [1]

  From at least 1940 to 1941

  C. T. Loo & Company, New York from at least November 12, 1940 [2]

  From 1941

  Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from C. T. Loo & Company on March 20, 1941 [3]

  Notes:

  [1] According to information provided by C. T. Loo to John E. Lodge, see John E. Lodge's curatorial remark, dated 1941, in object file.

  [2] See "List of objects owned by C. T. Loo, New York […] at the Freer Gallery," with an annotation that the object was left by Loo on November 12, 1940, copy in object file.

  [3] See C. T. Loo's invoice, dated March 20, 1941, where the object is described as "Knife jade (ko) greenish patina with splashes. Anyang Shang," copy in object file.

• Origin

  probably Henan province, China

• Culture

  Erlitou culture, ca. 2000-1600 BCE

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Ceremonial Object

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 2000s, BCE 1000s

• Name

  C.T. Loo & Company

• 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