No objects of this type have yet been scientifically excavated in China, so it is difficult to know the purpose of this extremely rare axe. It consists of four separate pieces: a tubular bronze handle, two caps with dragon motifs, and an unusual serrated jade blade that might not be original. Traces of wood inside the handle suggest it was lengthened with additional elements that are now missing.
Credit: Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
c. 1300-c. 1050
Bronze with turquoise inlay and jade (nephrite) blade
34.5 x 17.5cm
Images and text © Freer|Sackler Galleries, 2017
Where you'll find this
Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art
Permanent collection