Dagger-axe (ge) with water buffalo head (fragment)

Fragmentary blade of the type chi [chn] with malachite and some azurite patination; areas of unaltered metal. Decorated with intaglio casting. Five characters cast on surface.

Historical period(s)
Western Zhou dynasty, ca. 1050-771 BCE
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
H x W: 21.3 x 12 cm (8 3/8 x 4 3/4 in)
Geography
China, Henan province, purportedly from Xun Xian
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1934.14
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Metalwork, Weapon and Armament
Type

Weapon: dagger-axe (ge)

Keywords
casting, China, inscription, water buffalo, Western Zhou dynasty (ca. 1050 - 771 BCE), WWII-era provenance
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Fragmentary blade of the type chi [chn] with malachite and some azurite patination; areas of unaltered metal. Decorated with intaglio casting. Five characters cast on surface.

Inscription(s)

6-character inscription.

Published References
  • Sueji Umehara. Chugoku shutsudo no ichigun no doriki ni tsuite [One Find of Ancient Bronze Tools in China]. Kyoto. pl. 1.
  • Shang Chou chin wen shi ch'eng. Multi-volume, Taipei. cat. 8479.
  • Rutherford John Gettens, Roy S. Clarke, Jr., W. Thomas Chase. Two Early Chinese Bronze Weapons with Meteoritic Iron Blades. vol. 4, no. 1 Washington, 1971. fig. 28, 29.
  • Cheng Feng. Kuan yu Hsi-chou ch'u ch'i T'ai-tao shih te i chien ch'ing t'ung ping chi'i. no. 6. p. 43.
  • Hsueh-chin Li. Several Shang, Chou Objects Collected in America and Australia. no. 12. pp. 72-76.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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