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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1943.50.56
Title
Jade Dagger-Axe with Stepped Tang
Other Titles
Alternate Title: ko
Classification
Ritual Implements
Work Type
dagger-axe
Date
14th cent. BCE - 11th cent. BCE
Places
Creation Place: East Asia, China
Period
Shang dynasty, c. 1600-c. 1050 BCE
Culture
Chinese
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/205298

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Opaque buff nephrite with bluish green spots
Dimensions
29.8 x 8.4 x 0.5 cm (11 3/4 x 3 5/16 x 3/16 in.)
unspecified: 187 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. 47 by Max Loehr:

47 Dagger-Axe with Stepped Tang
Opaque buff jade with bluish green spots. Beautifully designed, rather thin blade of medium size, with a median crest and with lateral facets that curve outward where the tip begins. The most distinguishing feature of this ko is the profile of the tang, the upper corner of which is cut away to form two steps, whose measurements harmonize with the shoulder—or step—of the blade. Another uncommon feature is the placement of the flawlessly executed, large perforation beneath the crest near the middle of the blade. The tang, which is flattened to the extent that the crest is ground off, has no perforation. Late Shang(?).

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Grenville L. Winthrop
Accession Year
1943
Object Number
1943.50.56
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. 47, p. 64

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