H x W x D: 6.3 × 25.2 × 0.4 cm (2 1/2 × 9 15/16 × 1/8 in)
Type:
Ceremonial Object
Origin:
Henan, probably Henan province, China
Date:
ca. 1300-1050 BCE
Period:
Late Shang dynasty, Anyang period
Description:
Large emblematic weapon of the type ko [ge] 戈 (Broken in two and mended; one chip missing). Mottled gray, black and brownish nephrite, somewhat translucent; decorative band of parallel and criss-cross lines engraved on the butt of the blade; a conical perforation in the tang; inscription of thirty characters.
Acquired with a wooden box, lid now lost.
Provenance:
Duanfang (1861-1911), Peking [1]
To 1919
You Xiaoxi Shanghai, to 1919 [2]
1919
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from You Xiaoxi in 1919 [3]
From 1920
Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [4]
Notes:
[1] According to Curatorial Remark 2 in the object record.
[2] See Original Miscellaneous List, pg. 325, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.
[3] See note 2.
[4] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.
Collection:
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Exhibition History:
Afterlife: Ancient Chinese Jades (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)
Ancient Chinese Jade (September 4, 1980 to March 6, 1981)
Chinese Art (January 1, 1963 to March 6, 1981)
Chinese Bronze, Jade, Metalwork (March 1, 1957 to January 1, 1963)
Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 14 and 15 (February 25, 1956 to March 1, 1957)
Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Jade and Bronze (August 26, 1955 to October 25, 1955)
Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1946 (May 7, 1946 to February 25, 1956)
Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1945 (January 9, 1945 to August 20, 1955)
Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1944 (December 13, 1944 to May 7, 1946)
Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Art, 1944 (November 15, 1944 to May 6, 1946)
Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1943 (March 22, 1943 to November 17, 1944)
Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Metalwork (March 14, 1931 to March 22, 1943)
Previous custodian or owner:
Duanfang 端方 (1861-1911)
You Xiaoxi 游篠溪 (late 19th-early 20th century) (C.L. Freer source)
