Lot 231
East Asia, China, Shang Dynasty, Erlitou Period, ca. 1900 to 1500 BCE. A rare nephrite jade ceremonial axe dating to the Erlitou period of the early Shang Dynasty, its surface marked by mottled hues of green, brown, and cream that testify to millennia of burial. The elongated, rectangular blade is thinly worked, its edges finely ground, and it bears four drilled perforations near the top for hafting or suspension. A small notch is cut at the side, characteristic of ritual implements intended for display rather than practical use. Ceremonial jade axes, or yue, were powerful symbols of authority and ritual power in early Bronze Age China. Unlike utilitarian bronze weapons, jade examples were associated with elite status, used in ritual contexts to represent divine mandate and military command. The labor-intensive carving of nephrite - one of the hardest stones - underscores both the value of the material and the prestige of the individual to whom it belonged. Size: 6" L x 3" W (15.2 cm x 7.6 cm)
This example, with its softly polished surface and enduring heft, embodies the profound role of jade in Shang culture as a bridge between human and spiritual realms.
Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection, acquired from Arts du Monde, imported into the US prior to 2000
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#195443
- Condition: Some chips, nicks, and abrasions as shown, but, otherwise, nice presentation with smooth surfaces in areas. Old collection labels on one side.
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