Hache Archaïque en Bronze, Yue Fin de la Dynastie Shang, ca. 1200 avant J.-C.

la lame quasi quadrangulaire, les côtés latéraux incurvés, la lame arquée, la partie supérieure ornée d'un motif évoquant deux dragons kui affrontés formant au centre un masque à la gueule stylisée, le manche rectangulaire plat placé légèrement en décalé, percé au centre et orné de chaque côté d'un dragon représenté de profil, deux petites entailles de part et d'autre de la lame en-dessous, patine verte foncée argentée, D.W. 2588

The x-ray reveals a break to the left and right side of the aperture in the nei that has been restored in the past. There is a small part missing above one of the rectangular openings above the blade. Otherwise the axe is in in overall good condition. The metal is covered with small blisters on both sides and some malachite encrustation. The inventory number is inscribed in white on the side of the nei.
"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."

An almost identical bronze axe-head was among the numerous bronze weapons found in the tomb of Fu Hao, ca. 1200 BC, at Yinxu, Anyang, compare Yinxu Fu Hao mu, Beijing, 1980, pl. 69, fig 1, with a line drawing p. 106, fig. 66: 2. Several similarly decorated examples from European collections formed in the 1930s are known, see, for instance, an example from the Oeder Collection, Altmark, and one from the Malmo Museum, illustrated in J. G. Andersson,'The Goldsmith in Ancient China', in Bulletin of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, no. 7, 1935, pl. I.1 and 2; other bronze axe-heads of this type are published in Max Loehr, Chinese Bronze Age Weapons, Ann Arbor, 1956, pls. II,  III, V and VIII.