A MOTTLED JADE BLADE

Details

A MOTTLED JADE BLADE
EARLY SHANG DYNASTY

Of soft pale gray-green color with attractive blackish-brown markings and mottling throughout, the thick blade tapering towards the broader, diagonal end where shallow V-shaped depressions are carved on either side pointing inwards from the edge, and tapering also towards the lower, slightly beveled and curved cutting edge, pierced with two holes, the hole near the upper edge drilled from one side, the other hole drilled from both sides, the stone with soft, satin-like polish--12½in. (31.8cm.) long

Literature

Stanley Charles Nott, Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, New York, 1937, pl. XIV:A

Lot Essay

Frequently late Neolithic and early historic (Xia/Erlitou) jades are reworked in Shang or Western Zhou eras from one shape to another, in particular from dao blade to gui-blade and sometimes vice versa. The reworking of this blade is identified by the different location of the perforated holes, both of which are drilled from one side only. This reworking suggests a date to a post-Erlitou and early Shang context. Comparable blades of similar stone have been published; one in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Bull, included in the exhibition, Arts of the Chou Dynasty, Stanford University Museum, February 21-March 28, 1958, Catalogue no. 18 and another in the collection of Mrs. Rafi Y. Mottahedeh included in the exhibition, Chinese Jade throughout the ages, Victoria and Albert Museum, May 1-June 22, 1975, Catalogue no. 27