Lot 11
  • 11

Hache Cérémonielle en Jade calcifié, Qi Fin de la dynastie Shang, ca 1200 avant J.-C.

Estimate
12,000 - 15,000 EUR
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Description

  • Jade
  • Long. 13,7 cm
rectangulaire aux angles légèrement asymétriques suggérant un losange, flanqué de quatre arêtes crênelées sur les côtés, percée au centre, les bords et la lame sculptés en léger dénivelé sur chaque face, la pierre d'une belle couleur chamois au doux poli, D.W 32.92

 

Condition

The flanged axe is in overall very good condition. There are tiny fritts to to one side of the cutting edge and two ca. 2 and 4 cm long light scratches extending from the cutting edge upwards on the same side. There are tiny fritts to the upper edge of the axe. There are traces of cinnabar and across the blade on one side and some encrustated earth in some recessed areas. The inventory number is inscribed in black along the upper edge of the axe. The stone is a buff colour with a slightly more greyish tone in the upper part and softly polished.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Many small jade axes have been recovered from late Shang sites at Anyang, among them several in the tomb of Fu Hao, ca. 1200 BC, compare Yinxu yuqi, Beijing, 1982, pl. 25. The small hole indicates that such axes were fastened to a bronze shaft or handle as illustrated by surviving examples, compare a very similar example from the Pillsbury Collection, published in Na Chih-Liang, Chinese Jades: Archaic and Modern, Minneapolis, 1977, pp. 52-53, no. 15. See another small jade axe of similar elongated form from the Luboshez Collection, illustrated in Harriet McNamee, Chinese Art from the Luboshez Collection, Maryland, 1972, pp. 40-41, no. 14 and fig. 19.