Artwork Page for Ceremonial Dagger-Axe with Animal Masks (Ge)

Details / Information for Ceremonial Dagger-Axe with Animal Masks (Ge)

Ceremonial Dagger-Axe with Animal Masks (Ge)

饕餮紋玉戈

c. 1600–1050 BCE

China, Shang dynasty

(c. 1600–c. 1046 BCE)
Medium
jade (nephrite)
Measurements
Overall: 4.4 cm (1 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1983.2
Public Domain
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Location
241A Arts of Ancient China
Print
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Did You Know?

Traces of vermilion or cinnabar remain on the taotie mask design.

Description

Jade is an extremely hard material. In ancient China, it was carved or ground with fine abrasives, such as quartz sand, affixed to cutting or drilling tools. The form of this jade (ge, ceremonial dagger axe), was likely derived from similarly shaped bronze weapons. The pointed and slightly curved blade was symmetrically carved. It seems to emerge from the mouth of the taotie, the animal mask. The taotie’s curved horns were carved in relief bands; its eyes, snout, and upper jaw are delineated in threadlike relief. Similar taotie designs are also seen on bronze vessels of the same period. The hole in the tang indicates where the blade was originally attached to a wooden shaft.

Ceremonial Dagger-Axe with Animal Masks (Ge)

c. 1600–1050 BCE

China, Shang dynasty (c. 1600–c. 1046 BCE)

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