Ritual ImplementsChinese

Jade Dagger-Axe with Ornate Tang

16th-10th century BCE

Classification

Ritual Implements

Medium

Light buff nephrite with sparse grayish green veins; traces of cinnabar adhering to the surfaces

Culture

Chinese

Period

Shang dynasty (c. 1600-c. 1050 BCE) to Western Zhou period (c. 1050-771 BCE)

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Asian Art

Dimensions

H. 23 x W. 6.5 x D. 0.4 cm (9 1/16 x 2 9/16 x 3/16 in.) Weight 127 g

Related Artworks

Ritual Implements

Quadrilateral Jade Plaque (One of Three)

Unknown Artist, 770 BCE - 476 BCE

Translucent, mottled green nephrite

8th-5th century BCEChinese

Ritual Implements

Fluted Jade Ring

Unknown Artist, c. 2500 BCE - c. 2000 BCE

Translucent, deep celadon-green and opaque, bone-colored nephrite

3rd millennium BCEChinese

Ritual Implements

SMALL CARVING (IN SHAPE OF A DOG) RE-CUT OR LATER NOT MODERN

Unknown Artist

Stone

Chinese

Ritual Implements

Jade Dragon Silhouette (one of a pair)

Unknown Artist, 475 BCE - 221 BCE

Bluish green and buff, partly discolored nephrite

5th-3rd century BCEChinese

Ritual Implements

Ornate Jade Crescent-Shaped Pendant

Unknown Artist, 475 BCE - 221 BCE

Translucent greenish white nephrite

5th-3rd century BCEChinese

Ritual Implements

Jade Scepter

Unknown Artist, Longshan or Erlitou culture, c. 2000 BCE - c. 1700 BCE

Black nephrite with faint markings

2nd millennium BCEChinese

Ritual Implements

Jade Curled Dragon Plaque (one of a pair)

Unknown Artist, early 8th-3rd century BCE

Light gray and grayish brown stone

Chinese

Ritual Implements

Jade Pig

Unknown Artist, 25 CE - 220 CE

Variegated green, brown, and buff nephrite

1st-3rd century CEChinese

Ritual Implements

Small Jade Disk with Pattern of Plastic Curls (one of a pair)

Unknown Artist, 475 BCE - 221 BCE

Greenish gray and blackish, faintly translucent stone with calcified areas

5th-3rd century BCEChinese

Ritual Implements

Heavy Jade Knife with Concave Cutouts

Unknown Artist, Longshan culture (?), c. 2500 BCE - c. 2000 BCE

Mottled gray-green and dark brown stone

3rd millennium BCEChinese

Ritual Implements

Jade Scabbard Buckle

Unknown Artist, 3rd cent. BCE - 1st cent. BCE

Translucent, pale green nephrite with russet and dark brown markings

3rd-1st century BCEChinese

Ritual Implements

Heavy Jade Statuette of a Bearded Old Man

Unknown Artist, 206 BCE - 220 CE (?)

Mottled green and russet, faintly translucent stone

3rd century BCE-3rd century CEChinese