Axe-Shaped Jade Tablet | Harvard Art Museums

Identification and Creation

Object Number: 1943.50.114
Title: Axe-Shaped Jade Tablet
Classification: Ritual Implements
Work Type: axe
Date: c. 3300 - c. 2000 BCE
Places: Creation Place: East Asia, China
Period: Neolithic period, Liangzhu culture, c. 3300-2200 BCE
Culture: Chinese
Persistent Link: https://hvrd.art/o/204998

Physical Descriptions

Medium: Creamy buff stone with brown markings
Dimensions: H. 15.4 x W. 7.6 x D. 1.1 cm (6 1/16 x 3 x 7/16 in.)
Weight 290 g

Published Text

Catalogue: Ancient Chinese Jades from the Grenville L. Winthrop Collection in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University
Authors: Max Loehr and Louisa G. Fitzgerald Huber
Publisher: Fogg Art Museum (Cambridge, MA, 1975)

Catalogue entry no. 15 by Max Loehr:

15 Axe-shaped Tablet
Sturdy piece of creamy buff stone with brown markings, with evenly polished biconvex body and rounded sides. The obtuse cutting edge was symmetrically ground, while the butt has been left in a semifinished state. The two conical perforations are drilled from opposites sides. Between the lower perforation and the side is a narrow slot of overlapping drill-holes. Shang(?).

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Grenville L. Winthrop

Accession Year

1943

Object Number

1943.50.114

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Publication History

Max Loehr and Louisa G. Fitzgerald Huber, Ancient Chinese Jades from the Grenville L. Winthrop Collection in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University (Cambridge, MA, Fogg Art Museum, 1975)., cat. no. 15, p. 46

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

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