Ritual ImplementsChinese

Miniature Jade Dagger-Axe (one of two)

16th cent. BCE - 8th cent. BCE

Classification

Ritual Implements

Medium

Brownish and yellow translucent nephrite

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

6.6 x 2 x 0.5 cm (2 5/8 x 13/16 x 3/16 in.) unspecified: 13 g

Related Artworks

Ritual Implements

Heavy Jade Dagger-Axe with Serrate Tang

Unknown Artist, 12th-10th century BCE

Gray-green nephrite with lighter markings; some reddish earth and cinnabar remain on the left side

12th-10th century BCEChinese

Ritual Implements

Jade Silkworm

Unknown Artist, probably 11th cent. BCE - 771 BCE

Opaque, bone-colored nephrite

11th-8th century BCEChinese

Ritual Implements

Large Jade Buffalo Head in the Round

Unknown Artist, 12th-11th century BCE

Mottled gray-green stone with brown markings and black streaks, with scattered earthy concretions

12th-11th century BCEChinese

Ritual Implements

Jade Openwork Pendant Showing the Figure of a Dancer

Unknown Artist, 475 BCE - 221 BCE

Translucent, light yellowish gray nephrite with calcified white specks

5th-3rd century BCEChinese

Ritual Implements

Triangular Jade Plaque Shaped as a Bird (from a set of five plaques)

Unknown Artist, possibly 1100 - 771 BCE

Buff, partly calcified nephrite

11th-8th century BCEChinese

Ritual Implements

Jade Collared Disk

Unknown Artist, 12th-11th century BCE

Soft green nephrite with calcified areas which have turned white and opaque

12th-11th century BCEChinese

Ritual Implements

Jade 'Bi' Disk

Unknown Artist, 20th century

Stone

20th centuryChinese

Ritual Implements

Bead-Like Jade Pendant

Unknown Artist, 5th-4th century BCE

Greenish gray nephrite with tan and brown markings

5th-4th century BCEChinese

Ritual Implements

PENDANT (CARVED TORTOISE SHELL)

Unknown Artist, 20th century

Stone

20th centuryChinese

Ritual Implements

Jade Crested Bird

Unknown Artist, c. 1100 - 771 BCE

Translucent light gray nephrite with minute black speckles

11th-8th century BCEChinese

Ritual Implements

Jade Disk with Pattern of Plastic Curls

Unknown Artist, 475 BCE - 221 BCE

Pale greenish nephrite with brown markings and streaks

5th-3rd century BCEChinese

Ritual Implements

Jade Tiger Pendant

Unknown Artist, date uncertain

Mottled gray-green nephrite

1st millennium CEChinese