Dagger-axe (ge 戈) with handle, masks (taotie), and cicadas

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): 10.6 × 41.9 × 0.9 cm (4 3/16 × 16 1/2 × 3/8 in) -
Accession Number
F1941.5 -
EDAN ID
edanmdm:fsg_F1941.5
Object Details
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Description
Ceremonial weapon of the type ko [ge] 戈. The blade of mottled warm gray and white nephrite (stained by burial) mounted in bronze inlaid with turquoise (one bit missing); perforated tang heavily patinated. -
Previous custodian or owner
C.T. Loo & Company (1914-1948) -
Provenance
Reportedly excavated in Anyang, Henan province, China [1]From 1940 to 1941C. T. Loo & Company, New York from October 1940 [2]From 1941Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from C. T. Loo & Company on March 20, 1941 [3]Notes:[1] According to John Lodge's curatorial remark, dated 1941, in object file.[2] See C. T. Loo's stockcard no. 86942: "Jade knife with bronze handle. One large jade KU with plain bronze handle inlayed with turquoise with designs of birds and an animal mask near the guard. An Yang Shang," C. T. Loo & Frank Caro Archive, Musée Guimet, Paris, copy in object file. The object was brought by Loo to the Freer Gallery for examination on November 13, 1940.[3] See C. T. Loo's invoice, dated March 20, 1941, copy in object file. -
Origin
Anyang, probably Henan province, China -
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment -
Type
Ceremonial Object -
On View
Sackler Gallery 24a: Anyang: China's Ancient City of Kings -
Restrictions and Rights
Usage Conditions Apply
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