Chisel Head

CHISEL HEAD

Shang dynasty (16th century – 1046 BCE) or later
Inventory number: XLIX:I:A.k.01.

The front of this chisel head is relatively narrow and flares gently towards the socket at the back. The two edges on the top are beveled. The tool probably had a straight wooden handle that slotted into the socket at the back. Like a modern chisel, it was probably used either by pushing from or hammering the handle to cut away pieces of wood at the cutting edge. Rather than used for shaping the general form of a piece of wood, like with an adze, the chisel was used for more decorative or detailed work.