Dagger-axe (ge 戈), fragment reworked

Object Details

• Description

  This jade ge blade is beveled along the upper and lower edges; the bevels end in an 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 two conical perforations drilled from one side of the tang. The butt end of the tang is decorated with five pairs of serrations. (Minor nicks; ink [?] stain near tip.)

• Previous custodian or owner

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

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)

• Provenance

  To 1963

  J. T. Tai & Co., New York, New York [1]

  From 1963 to 1987

  Arthur M. Sackler, New York, purchased from J. T. Tai & Co., New York, New York in 1963 [2]

  From 1987

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Arthur M. Sackler on September 11, 1987 [3]

  Notes:

  [1] J. T. Tai's stockcard no. YT-3449, according to information provided by the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation on October 9, 2009.

  [2] See Tai's invoice dated X/15/63, copy in object file

  [3] Pursuant to the agreement between 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.

• 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

  Sackler, Arthur M., J.T. Tai & Co.

• 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