Ritual ImplementsChinese18th-16th century BCE

Ge-halberd Blade with Geometric Design and Inscription

Early 2nd millennium (c. 1700–1500) BCE (blade); late Shang period (c. 1100–1050) BCE (inscription)

Classification

Ritual Implements

Medium

Opaque ivory-white nephrite altered to chalky white with red cinnabar accretions

Culture

Chinese

Period

Shang dynasty, c. 1600-c. 1050 BCE

Century

18th-16th century BCE

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Asian Art

Dimensions

22.9 x 6 x 0.6 cm (9 x 2 3/8 x 1/4 in.) unspecified: 121 g

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