Accession Number
1974/1.143

Title
Ge (ceremonial dagger-axe)

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1300 BCE - circa 1100 BCE

Medium & Support
bronze with shiny green patina and brown encrustations

Dimensions
10 in. ( 25.4 cm )

Credit Line
The Oliver J. Todd Memorial Collection

Subject matter
ceremonial bronze ge dagger-axe of Middle Shang to early Late Shang Shang period, frequently seen in the tombs of elite warriors. The zoomorphic tang is decorated with stylized bird motif. Its elaborate design suggests that it was probably for ceremonial display rather than combat. The zoomorphic tang is decorated with stylized bird motif. Similar objects is seen in the tomb of royal lady Fu Hao of early Late Shang, excavated in Anyang (Plate LXXII). Institute of Archaeology, CASS 1986. Yinxu Fuhao mu (Tomb of Lady Hao at Yinxu in Anyang). Beijing: Wenwu Press.

Primary Object Classification
Arms and Armor

Primary Object Type
dagger

Additional Object Classification(s)
Metalwork

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
weaponry