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Battle-Axe

Late Shang Dynasty, 1100 B.C. - The Western Zhou Dynasty, 771 B.C.

Jinsha Site Museum

Jinsha Site Museum
Chengdu, China

This object was made of blackish green jade, little stains of black stripes, reddish and yellowish stains as well. On the lower part of the axe was left a large patch of glutinous matter, possibly the glue used to fix the axe on a wooden handle. In the glutinous matter are some bits of vermilion, which might have come from the vermilion painted wooden handle. This battle-axe is flat, with a large round hole in the center. There are two bulges each with two teeth on both sides, and the cutting edge was shaped into four sections. The jade battle-axe was a ritual utensil symbolizing the political and military power of rulers in pre-Qin societies. This object are made by exquisite craftsman work with high quality of jade, deeply reflecting the social sautés and hierarchy of the user.

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