Dagger-axe (ge 戈) with dragons

Object Details

• Description

  Ceremonial blade with inlaid bronze handle, pointed blade. (Bronze handle fragile, deteriorated, has incrustations, heavy green patina; nicks in edge of blade and blade incrusted with dirt.)

• Provenance

  As early as 1928

  Likely discovered at archeological sites in Anyang, Honan Province, China [1]

  To 1948

  Zhang Naiji (1899–1948), Shanghai, China then New York, NY [2]

  1948 to 1954

  Zhang Mei Chien (1901–c.1955), New York, NY inherited upon her husband’s death [3]

  From 1948 to no later than 1986

  J. T. Tai & Company, New York, NY purchased from Zhang Mei Chien in July 1954 in New York, NY [4]

  To 1987

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, New York, NY purchased from J. T. Tai & Company in New York, NY [5]

  From 1987

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler on September 11, 1987 [6]

  Notes:

  [1] Object published in Archaic Chinese Jades: Special Exhibition (Philadelphia: The University Museum, February 1940), cat. 46. Catalogue entry notes discovery site. Excavations at Anyang began in 1928.

  [2] Zhang Naiji (also known as N.C. Chang) was a businessman, born to a prestigious family in Zhejiang that made their wealth in the silk and salt industries. He collected ancient Chinese art objects and Chinese coins. Zhang amassed his collection whilst living in Shanghai, before leaving for America in 1938, and acquired his objects onsite of archeological excavations (see: Alfred Salmony, Chinese Jade through the Wei Dynasty. New York: The Ronald Press Company, 1963: 115.).

  Zhang lent his collection anonymously to Archaic Chinese Jades: Special Exhibition. We know his identity through letters housed in the Department of Archives, The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (see: letter, C. T. Loo to Horace Jayne, 25 October 1939 and letter, from C. T. Loo to Horace Jayne, 16 December 1939), copies in FǀS COM provenance files. The exhibition was entirely organized by C. T. Loo & Company, New York. Letters exchanged between C. T. Loo and the director of The University Museum, Mr. Horace H.F. Jayne, reveal that Zhang Naiji owned the objects and C. T. Loo & Company had the collection on consignment (see: letter, from C. T. Loo to Horace Jayne, 28 May 1939 and letter, from C. T. Loo to Horace Jayne, 23 October 1940, copies on COM provenance files).

  [3] Zhang Mei Chien, Zhang Naiji’s wife, assumed ownership upon his death in 1948.

  [4] J. T. Tai & Company inventory number: Y T 1159. J. T. Tai & Company purchased numerous jades from Mrs. Zhang in July of 1964 ((for example, see J. T. Tai & Company Stock Record YT 886 and YT 895, copies in COM provenance files).

  Arthur M. Sackler cataloguing document, compiled by conservators on January 2, 1986, includes the dealer number (see original binders in F|S COM office, copy of singular page located in accession file).

  [5] See note 4. This object was part of Arthur M. Sackler’s 1987 gift to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (see note 6).

  [6] 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

  Anyang: China's Ancient City of Kings (February 25, 2023 to April 28, 2024)

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

  Archaic Chinese Jades, Special Exhibition (February 1940)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Zhang Naiji 張乃驥 (1899-1948)

  Zhang Mei Chien (1900-1998)

  J. T. Tai & Co. (established in 1950)

  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

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 1000s

• Name

  Sackler, Arthur M., Zhang, Naiji, J. T. Tai & Co., Zhang, Chien Mei

• Place

  China, Henan province, Anyang

• Topic

  Art, Inlay (process), Chinese Art, Anyang period, Late Shang dynasty (ca. 1300 - 1050 BCE), Nephrite, Metal-work

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Ceremonial objects