Dagger-axe

anonymous, -1600 - -1000

This jade imitation of a bronze dagger-axe was too fragile for use in combat, suggesting that such weapons may have been intended to serve as symbols of military might and status. It is also possible that they were designed for ceremonial use. They were often included in grave goods and may have been specially made for this purpose.

  • Artwork typeritual object, knife (tool)
  • Object numberAK-MAK-49
  • Dimensionswidth 36.5 cm x height 8.1 cm x depth 0.5 cm

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Dagger-axe

  • Object type

  • Object number

    AK-MAK-49

  • Description

    Ritueel of ceremonieel mes.

Creation

  • Creation

    anonymous, China

  • Dating

    -1600 - -1000

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Material and technique

  • Dimensions

    width 36.5 cm x height 8.1 cm x depth 0.5 cm

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    On loan from the Royal Asian Art Society in The Netherlands (purchase C.T. Loo, Paris, 1937)

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; from C.T. Loo, Paris, frs. 7,000, to the Vereniging van Vrienden der Aziatische Kunst, 1937;{Note RMA.} from whom on loan to the museum, 1972

Documentation

  • Helga Lormans, 'Vroege Chinese jades in het Rijksmuseum', Aziatische Kunst 26/1 (1996), pp. 26-30.

Persistent URL

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  • Dagger-axe
  • Dagger-axe