Period:Shang dynasty Production date:15thC BC-10thC BC
Materials:jade, cinnabar (traces),
Technique:bevelled, bent, drilled,
Dimensions:Length: 14.90 centimetres Width: 5 centimetres
Description:
Dagger axe of creamy coloured calcified jade with earth encrustation and areas of cinnabar with woven fabric imprints. The slightly curved dagger axe with a central ridge running to the tip with the edges of the blade bevelled. There is a conical perforation at the base of the tang, one corner of which has been broken off.
IMG
![图片[1]-dagger-axe BM-2022-3034.92-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Shang dynasty/Jades/173_.jpg)
Comments:This relatively small blade has a strong asymmetrical shape. The upper edge is bent firmly down at the sharp tip to meet the lower edge, which is more nearly horizontal in outline. There is a curved central raised rib and the two edges are bevelled. At the butt the jade steps in on both sides to form a slightly narrower tang which has a chip at one side. It has a hole drilled from one side. The blade was evidently wrapped in a textile, an impression of which is left in the encrustation on the piece. Many jade and bronze blades were clearly carefully wrapped, a sign of their value, but only a few such traces remain. Several ge of similar size and outline have come from Fu Hao’s tomb. They were clearly of a highly valued type. See Rawson 1995, p.194, cat.no.10.24.
Materials:jade, cinnabar (traces),
Technique:bevelled, bent, drilled,
Dimensions:Length: 14.90 centimetres Width: 5 centimetres
Description:
Dagger axe of creamy coloured calcified jade with earth encrustation and areas of cinnabar with woven fabric imprints. The slightly curved dagger axe with a central ridge running to the tip with the edges of the blade bevelled. There is a conical perforation at the base of the tang, one corner of which has been broken off.
IMG
Comments:This relatively small blade has a strong asymmetrical shape. The upper edge is bent firmly down at the sharp tip to meet the lower edge, which is more nearly horizontal in outline. There is a curved central raised rib and the two edges are bevelled. At the butt the jade steps in on both sides to form a slightly narrower tang which has a chip at one side. It has a hole drilled from one side. The blade was evidently wrapped in a textile, an impression of which is left in the encrustation on the piece. Many jade and bronze blades were clearly carefully wrapped, a sign of their value, but only a few such traces remain. Several ge of similar size and outline have come from Fu Hao’s tomb. They were clearly of a highly valued type. See Rawson 1995, p.194, cat.no.10.24.
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