axe BM-1947-0712.413

Period:Shang dynasty Production date:11thC BC (circa)
Materials:bronze
Technique:
Subjects:monster dragon
Dimensions:Height: 24.80 centimetres Weight: 4665 grammes Width: 19.60 centimetres

Description:
Bronze axe blade. A montrous face fills both sides. Eyes, eyebrows, nose and ears are almost human, in contrast to the mouth which has serrated teeth and two fangs. A rectangular tang decorated with a coiled dragon would have projected beyond the wooden shaft, mounted at right angles to the blade. Made of bronze.
IMG


Comments:Rawson 1987:A monstrous face fills both sides of the axe. Eyes, eyebrows, nose and ears are almost human; the mouth with serrated teeth and two fangs is much more sinister. A rectangular tang decorated with a coiled dragon would have projected beyond the wooden shaft mounted at right angles to the blade.Two similar axes found in a small pit in the outer trench of a large burial at Sufutun in Shandong province may have been used to slaughter the sacrificial victims interred in the access ramp to the tomb. The tomb dates to the end of the Shang or early Zhou period. All such wide axes descend from neolithic stone axes drilled with small holes near the top to attach them to wooden hafts. By the Erlitou period ceremonial axes were carved in jade in which these functional holes had been enlarged to occupy much of the centre of the axe. Almost central holes also dominate several early bronze axes, including two from Panlongcheng in Hubei province. On later bronze axes, such as the present example, the central hole was adapted to make the gaping mouth of a demon or monster.