Dagger-axe (ge 戈), fragment reworked

Object Details

• Description

  This jade blade ge is beveled along the upper and lower edges; the bevels end in a delicately ground, outward curving edge. The tip of the blade is not beveled but has sloping faces. A prominent median crest runs from the tip of the blade to the large conical perforation, drilled from one side. The flattened tang is decorated with five pairs of serrations that project from the butt. (Mostly calcified; chips to powder on two notches; minor tiny nicks.)

• Provenance

  To 1959

  Diedrich Abbes (1866-1959), Greenwich, CT [1]

  1959 to 1987

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, New York, purchased from the estate of Diedrich Abbes on July 10, 1959 through Frank Caro, C. T. Loo Chinese Art, New York [2]

  From 1987

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler in 1987 [3]

  Notes:

  [1] See note on Arthur M. Sackler, M.D. letterhead acknowledging the "purchase and receipt of 17 pieces of stone carvings of the Shang, Yin-Chou and Chou periods from the Dietrich Abbes collection. The price in full, exclusive of commission, will be paid as indicated by this note in two installments," copy in object file.

  [2] See note 1. For Frank Caro's involvement, see: letter to Frank Caro from Arnold J. Bai of the law firm Goldstein and Peck, Bridgeport Connecticut, September 28, 1960, copy in object file. The letter asks Frank Caro to have (presumably) his client, Arthur M. Sackler, to send the final payment for the Diedrich Abbes Collection of jades to the law firm. Goldstein and Peck mistakenly identify Mr. Caro's business as C. T. Loo Company, when it was called C. T. Loo Chinese Art.

  [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)

  In Praise of Ancestors: Ritual Objects from China (September 28, 1987 to January 1, 1989)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Diedrich Abbes (1866-1959)

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)

• Origin

  probably Henan province, China

• Culture

  Erlitou culture, ca. 2000-1600 BCE

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• 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

  Abbes, Diedrich, Sackler, Arthur M.

• Place

  China, Henan province

• Topic

  Art, Chinese Art, Erligang period, Early Shang dynasty (ca. 1600 - ca. 1400 BCE), Nephrite, Jade

• Culture

  Erlitou culture, Chinese

• Object Type

  Ceremonial objects