Period:Shang dynasty Production date:15thC BC-10thC BC
Materials:jade
Technique:polished, drilled, bevelled,
Dimensions:Length: 11.80 centimetres Width: 5.50 centimetres
Description:
Axe of semi-translucent bright green jade with black inclusions.
IMG
![图片[1]-axe BM-2022-3034.83-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Shang dynasty/Jades/427_.jpg)
Comments:Notches on the sides of this axe distinguish it from the more usual tablet-shaped axe type. There are two sets of three projections on either side of the narrow rectangular blade. Both the cutting edge and the flat butt are slightly rounded. All the edges are smoothly bevelled and the blade has convex sides, polished to a high gloss. The central hole is drilled from both sides. Notches appear first on axes in the late neolithic period, specifically in the Longshan culture of Shandong province. An axe from Wulian xian has fine, almost invisible teeth. Like other blades discussed, notched axes were found in Shandong and also in western China. Joining the two areas geographically is the area of present-day Henan province, where notched axes are found in Erlitou period sites.Notches were probably carved as part of an effort to distinguish a ceremonial implement from a utilitarian tool. The first step in the process of creating a distinction between a ceremonial stone blade and a utilitarian one was to make the blade so thin that it was no longer functional. However, once these thin axes were in wide circulation, new distinctions had to be sought. Notches provided the answer. As discussed above, notches also appear on discs at the end of the neolithic period and may have been copied from surviving fragments of Hongshan jades. See Rawson 1995, pp.176-177, cat.no.10.13. Where calcification and surface decomposition has not taken place the axe has been polished to a good gloss. The biconvex axe with notched sides flares gently to a curved bevelled cutting edge; the butt end cut straight across and polished smooth. A biconical perforation is near the butt end. Shang. Length 118mm width 55mm.
Materials:jade
Technique:polished, drilled, bevelled,
Dimensions:Length: 11.80 centimetres Width: 5.50 centimetres
Description:
Axe of semi-translucent bright green jade with black inclusions.
IMG
Comments:Notches on the sides of this axe distinguish it from the more usual tablet-shaped axe type. There are two sets of three projections on either side of the narrow rectangular blade. Both the cutting edge and the flat butt are slightly rounded. All the edges are smoothly bevelled and the blade has convex sides, polished to a high gloss. The central hole is drilled from both sides. Notches appear first on axes in the late neolithic period, specifically in the Longshan culture of Shandong province. An axe from Wulian xian has fine, almost invisible teeth. Like other blades discussed, notched axes were found in Shandong and also in western China. Joining the two areas geographically is the area of present-day Henan province, where notched axes are found in Erlitou period sites.Notches were probably carved as part of an effort to distinguish a ceremonial implement from a utilitarian tool. The first step in the process of creating a distinction between a ceremonial stone blade and a utilitarian one was to make the blade so thin that it was no longer functional. However, once these thin axes were in wide circulation, new distinctions had to be sought. Notches provided the answer. As discussed above, notches also appear on discs at the end of the neolithic period and may have been copied from surviving fragments of Hongshan jades. See Rawson 1995, pp.176-177, cat.no.10.13. Where calcification and surface decomposition has not taken place the axe has been polished to a good gloss. The biconvex axe with notched sides flares gently to a curved bevelled cutting edge; the butt end cut straight across and polished smooth. A biconical perforation is near the butt end. Shang. Length 118mm width 55mm.
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