J.J. Lally & Co., Oriental Art / New York City, New York
MenuPast Exhibition
Ancient Chinese Jade
March 15-29, 2018
62.
A LARGE ARCHAIC JADE CEREMONIAL AXE (CHAN)
Shang Dynasty, circa 1300-1200 B.C.
carved with two sets of three projecting ‘teeth’ on either side of the thin quadrangular blade with slightly convex sides polished to a high gloss all over and drilled with a hole in the center, the rounded cutting edge smoothly beveled, the moss green jade with black flecking and areas of cloudy tan color due to alteration from burial.
Length 11 1⁄8 inches (28.2 cm)
A very similar Shang jade axe of smaller size in the British Museum is illustrated by Rawson, Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1995, pp. 176-177, no. 10:13, where the author states “Notches were probably carved as part of an effort to distinguish a ceremonial implement from a utilitarian tool.”
商 大玉鏟 長28.2厘米
