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
Bronze with turquoise inlay and jade (nephrite) blade -
Dimension
H x W x D: 20.2 x 11 x 1 cm (7 15/16 x 4 5/16 x 3/8 in) -
Accession Number
S1987.899 -
EDAN ID
edanmdm:fsg_S1987.899
Object Details
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Description
The bronze haft is of rectangular shape widening in steps toward the socket where only one side bar remains. A trapezoidal hafting hole pierces the haft below its decorated zone. The upper half is inlaid with large turquoise or green glass chips that depict an eye surrounded by linear ornament giving the impression of a head of a zoomorphic figure in profile. This design occurs on both sides. A thick woven material is incrusted in some areas of the bronze. The jade blade, beveled on the sides, widens to the sharpened cutting edge. A cut-out exists at the top of one side of the blade. Its color is buff with one greenish area. (Alterations in the color from green to whitish-buff of the jade; heavy incrustation of patina on haft; some inlay missing or covered with incrustations of bronze patination; blade is chipped on corner of one side with a cut-out on the edge of the other end of the same side.) -
Provenance
To 1959Abel William Bahr (1877-1959), Shanghai, China, London, England, Montreal, Canada, New York, NY, and Ridgefield, Connecticut[1]From 1959 to 1963Edna H. Bahr (d. 1978), by descent from her father, Abel William BahrFrom 1963 to 1987Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, New York, purchased from Edna H. Bahr in 1963 [2]From 1987Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler on September 11, 1987 [3]Notes:[1] According to information provided by the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, October 9, 2009.[2] See 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
Abel William Bahr (1877-1959)Edna H. Bahr (1907-1986)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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