Axe (yue 鉞)

Terms of Use
Usage Conditions ApplyAt A Glance
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Period
ca. 1300-ca. 1050 BCE -
Geography
Anyang, probably Henan province, China -
Material
Jade (nephrite) -
Dimension
H x W x D: 11.1 x 6.6 x 0.4 cm (4 3/8 x 2 5/8 x 3/16 in) -
Accession Number
S1987.566 -
EDAN ID
edanmdm:fsg_S1987.566
Object Details
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Description
Axe blade with notched sides; pierced; translucent green with opaque cream. Traces of burial cinnabar. (Mostly calcified; small chips and deposits.) -
Provenance
By 1964Frank Caro Chinese Art, New York, NY [1]1964 to 1987Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, New York, NY purchased from Frank Caro Chinese Art, New York, NY on August 27, 1964 [2]From 1987Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler on September 11, 1987 [3]Notes:[1] F. Caro stock no. FC-2325:"Archaic jade, axe blade, with series of six teeth near center of each side; traces of burial and cinnabar," see invoice from Frank Caro Chinese Art to Arthur M. Sackler, August 27, 1964, copy in object file.[2] See Frank Caro's invoice referenced in note 1.[3] Pursuant to the agreement between Dr. Arthur M. Sackler and the Smithsonian Institution, dated July 28, 1982, legal title of the donated objects was transferred to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery on September 11, 1987. -
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection -
Exhibition History
The Arts of China (November 18, 1990 to September 7, 2014)Ancient Chinese Bronzes and Jades (October 1, 1989 - September 10, 1990)In Praise of Ancestors: Ritual Objects from China (September 28, 1987 to January 1, 1989) -
Previous custodian or owner
Frank Caro Chinese Art (1962-1980)Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987) -
Origin
Anyang, probably Henan province, China -
Credit Line
Gift of Arthur M. Sackler -
Type
Ceremonial Object -
Restrictions and Rights
Usage Conditions Apply
There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
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