Lot 17

Eccentric Axe (Yue) with Large Hole and Animal Silhouette, Shang/Western Zhou Period, Attr. Sichuan Province (1600-771 BCE)

Estimate: $7,000 - $8,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$200 $20
$320 $30
$380 $20
$420 $30
$480 $20
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $200
$3,200 $300
$3,800 $200
$4,200 $300
$4,800 $200
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$32,000 $3,000
$38,000 $2,000
$42,000 $3,000
$48,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
$200,000 $20,000
$320,000 $30,000
$380,000 $20,000
$420,000 $30,000
$480,000 $20,000
$500,000 $50,000
This ceremonial axe head is made of mottled, partially translucent bright and dark green to slate blue nephrite.  There is a large central perforation, and another smaller one near the top of the haft.  The edge of the blade is separated into two crescent shaped sides that resemble a fish tail.  An animal decorates the side of the blade vertically in openwork.  Similarly decorated works have been discovered in Sichuan Province.  

Condition

Jade, H: 10 1/4 in. W: 8 3/8 in. Th: 1/8 in. With a certificate of authenticity issued by Gu Fang, Senior Fellow of the Institute of Archaeology Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) (#9473)