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

de forme asymétrique légèrement trapézoïdale, le bord supérieur coupé droit, le bord inférieur doucement incurvé, les côtés latéraux agrémentés de crans finement nervurés encadrant une petite ouverture circulaire légèrement décalée, la pierre calcifiée d'une belle teinte blanche-grise ponctuée de taches couleur chamois, D.W 35/47

Arts de la Chine Ancienne, Musée de l'Orangerie, Paris, 1937, no. 82. 

Georges Salles, Arts de la Chine Ancienne, Paris, 1937, cat. no. 82 (not illustrated).

The flanged axe is in overall very good condition. It is thinly cut, the stone polished. The tip of one corner of the cutting edge is broken off and missing. There are traces of encrustation between the notches and traces of blue along the edges. The stone is of a mottled buff tone with some darker areas. The hole is drilled from both sides. The inventory number inscribed in black on the upper edge.
"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."

The present axe is unusual for its notably asymmetrical shape. A related example excavated from the tomb of Fu Hao, ca. 1200 BC, is published in Yinxu yuqi, Beijing, 1982, pl. 20. Two further examples of slightly smaller size from the Winthrop Collection, are illustrated in Max Loehr and Louisa G. Fitzgerald Huber, Ancient Chinese Jades from the Grenville L. Winthrop Collection in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1975, cat. no. 20.