Dagger-axe (ge 戈), fragment, reworked

Object Details

• Description

  This highly polished jade ge 戈, or dagger-axe, has a straight blade and symmetrical tip. There are projections on the top and bottom edges of the dagger-axe coinciding with the small circular perforation that interrupts the pronounced median crest, which extends from the tip of the blade to the butt end of the tang. The projection on the top of the blade is notched in the center and at the butt end. The projections on the lower edge of the blade are more elaborate. A curving form extends downward to define a vertical edge, or hu 胡, of the type commonly seen on bronze ge 戈. More intricate is the projection that descends from the butt end of the dagger-axe. A small curvilinear element at the edge of the blade is repeated below. Incised lines reinforce the contours of this projection. The lower curvilinear element is perforated. A larger circle that resembles an incomplete perforation appears on the lower portion of the butt end of the tang. (Largely calcified, with powdery area on handle butt, front; minute nicks in pointed edge; cinnabar and soil adhering.)

• Provenance

  From at least 1935

  Mrs. Christian R. Holmes (1871-1941), New York and "The Chimneys," Sands Point, Port Washington, Long Island, from November 1935 [1]

  From at least 1959

  Tonying & Company, New York, from at least 1959 [2]

  From 1959 to 1987

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), New York, purchased from Tonying and Company on November 25, 1959 [3]

  From 1987

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler on September 11, 1987 [4]

  Notes:

  [1] Mrs. Holmes lent the object to the International Exhibition of Chinese Art at Royal Academy of Fine Arts in London in 1935-36, see Catalogue of the International Exhibition of Chinese Art, exh. cat. (London: Royal Academy of Arts, 1935-36), cat. 310 (ill.).

  [2] See Tonying & Company’s invoice, issued to Arthur M. Sackler, dated November 25, 1959, in which the jade is listed under no. Jo. 42: “Archaic Jade Chaag (Symbol of Authority) / Shang” copy in object file, provided by Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, October 2009.

  [3] See Tonying & Company’s invoice cited in note 2.

  [4] 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

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

• Previous custodian or owner

  Mrs. Christian R. Holmes (1871-1941)

  Tonying and Company 通運公司 (established 1902)

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)

• Origin

  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

  Holmes, Christian R., Sackler, Arthur M., Tonying and Company

• Place

  China

• Topic

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

• Culture

  Erlitou culture, Chinese

• Object Type

  Ceremonial objects