Ancient Chinese Hongshan Jade Axe Head "Perfect Work" Amulet "Yue" w/Translation

Description

ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Artifacts, Antiques & Fine Collect
i
bles
Neolithic
Chinese Jade Ritual Axe Head
Ceremonial “
Yue
” Axe Blade with Offering Pictographs
English Translation of Inscription Characters
Hongshan Culture
c. 4500—2250 BC
“Everyone Agrees that This Man has Completed a
Perfect Lifetime of Work on Earth and His Soul is Prepared
for New Growth and Immortality in Heaven (Tian).”
~English Translation of this Yue Axe by WDH, Ancient Civilizations
NOTE:
William D. Houghton, the President of ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
, a State of Washington Licensed Business,
assumes all responsibility for the information contained in this description and for the English translation and transcription of the ancient Chinese graphic characters.
Furthermore, I prohibit the further dissemination of this information in any written, video, or electronic format without my expressed, written approval.
Thank You!
SUMMARY
This Neolithic Chinese Ritual Jade Axe Head amulet in a style classified as a “
Yue
Axe II," and dates to approximately the Hongshan Culture (4500 BC—2250 BC).
That’s right, this wonderful ritual jade axe symbolizes the military authority and high status of its ancient Chinese owner.
These ritual axe heads made of jade are only found in the tombs of Warlord/King/ Emperors, who are men and were the literal "Sons of Heaven."
It has not been repaired or restored, but some of the white calcium and other mineral deposits have been professional removed by the previous owner.
And yes, it is over 5,000 years old!
Approximate Measurements:
Height:  2.62"  (67mm)
Width:   3.38"  (86mm)
Thickness:  .49" (12mm)
Weight:  6.4 oz. (182 gr.)
Condition
This nephrite jade axe has it original, dark-brown color with highlights of orange from the iron in the soil where it was buried.
The entire axe head is in museum quality condition, but it had been previously cleaned in China.
It shows almost no pitting or differential weathering and yet has a wonderful patina in the incised and pecked figures that only occur on worked jade objects buried for thousands of years in the damp soil of China.
No repairs or reconstructions.
This patina should not be removed, because the natural patina is one way to identify an authentic Hongshan jade.
DETAILS
In Neolithic China, this Jade Axe Amulet would have been offered as a sacrifice and placed in the tomb or surface temple of the departed by his family, as an offering to the Gods and Ancestors to grant him wealth, immortality, and to protect him or her from evil spirits in this life and in the afterlife. This finely worked Jade Amulet would also show the spirits that he/she was a wealthy and powerful person--likely a king or a member of a royal family.
This tapered jade axe head has slightly flared lateral edges and an angled cutting edge.
The four edges represented the Earth, while the .73” (19mm) hole in the center represents Heaven (in Chinese
Tien or Tian
).
Jade was highly prized by these early civilizations in China, and it was thought to have positive energy to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck and fortune to all who wore a piece on their person--in life and in death. Jade was also believed to be a portal or messenger that could carry prayers to Heaven and send messages to those on Earth from departed ancestors and Gods in Heaven.
This ceremonial/ritual axe is based on the style of utilitarian stone axes of the period.
However, the precious value of jade (worth more than gold to this ancient culture), the engraved/pecked inscription, and the tendency of jade to fracture and chip when struck, all confirm that this jade axe functioned as a ritual object rather than just an everyday tool. The detailed inscription on all the surfaces of the axe served as a permanent record of the many sacrifices the descendants made on behalf of the father/grandfather.
As noted above, this axe has a suspension hole on the very top that archaeologists classify as “bi-conical bore holes,” which were one of the common types of holes made during the Hongshan Culture.
It was necessary to drill from both sides with a hollow, bamboo or bone tube that would be dipped into abrasive and then rotated rapidly against the stone to affect a ring-form type of hole, leaving the solid core intact.
Therefore, the meeting place of the two borings is not true to a single, straight channel and a curved remnant ridge that is not ground or polished-out remains at the common junction.
The center core was often snapped off by tapping or pushing the center core to one side and thus completing the long hole.
Then entire amulet is defined by precise incision lines and plain modeling, with flat sides and a sharpened blade.
It presents a powerful image of protection in the afterlife, and one meant only for the royal or elite class.
TRANSLATION OF CHINESE CHARACTERS
Located at the center of the front side of this amulet is the ancient Chinese character
Ch’uan
that means “
the perfect work is finished/completed
.” In this case, it refers to the deceased man’s work on Earth that was perfect and that his life on Earth is now finished.
{Wieger pg. 50.}
On either side of the lower two sides on both the front and reverse sides of this ritual jade axe are four additional characters—in Chinese “
Ko
” literally means a “
twig of bamboo with a knot
.”
But in this context it unity or agreement.
The use of four
Ko
characters suggests that not just four people, but that
“everyone agrees that this man’s work on Earth was perfect.”
{Wieger pg. 198.}
Therefore, a literal translation of these characters could be translated as follows:
“Everyone Agrees that This Man has Completed a
Perfect Lifetime of Work on Earth and His Soul is Prepared
for New Growth and Immortality in Heaven (Tian).”
As this man’s “Perfect Work on Earth” is completed, his soul is now worthy of eternal life in Heaven (
Tian
) with the Ancestors.
On both sides of the axe, there are
tiny images of the Sons killing animals as a sacrifice to the Ancestors.
These images are pecked and incised in low relief into the jade.
Even smaller and somewhat hidden are pictographs on the collared edges of the center hole that represents Heaven!
These incantations or prayers were meant only for the eyes and ears of the Ancestors and not mortal men.
It was believed that humans were not worthy to view these inscriptions that were only meant for the Ancestors.
There are several (perhaps 25+) additonal pictographs on both side of the axe, but they are just too faint or abstract for me to confidently translate.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
This wonderful Jade Amulet is shaped like an axe and is decorated with a larger hole in the center to symbolize Heaven.  The axe was a common tool in ancient China, but these Jade Axes were for ritual use only and can be found buried with their owners in ancient tombs.  The edge of the axe is ground to an edge and would have been attached to a wooden handle and placed in the tomb.  Chinese and Western experts believe these ritual axes (or "
yu
" and "
fu
" in Chinese) denoted military and regal authority of a man when placed in a tomb.
No jade axes have ever been found in the tombs of women.
This example is classified as a “
Yue
Axe II” by the experts. It has a lovely, sharped bit and a single suspension hole.
It has been drilled by ancient hand drills from both sides of the axe millennia ago.  Archeologists believe this axe would have been fastened to wooden handles and used as a symbol of military authority.
Such axes were often given to a military general to signify his high social position as a leader and direct arm of the Emperor or warlord.
In the 5,000-year-old relics of Hongshan Culture, these axes were made of precious jade for decoration purposes only. According to studies, the jade axe is a symbol of glory.
An event recorded in the
Shih Ji
by Sihma Cian
says that King Tang of the Shang held his
yue
and announced a punitive expedition on the ruthless King Jie of the Sia Dynasty.
Research on jade
yue
and
fu
axes from Xipo, China, reveal just how these lovely axes were made. The first step involved cutting the raw material into pieces with stone or bamboo saws and string saws soaked in a slurry of jade dust.
Then the pieces were ground and abraded to a proper shape, as jade does not flake like flint.
Next, a round hole was drilled in the top of the
yue
using a small bamboo tube and a slurry of powdered jade as an abrasive. Finally, the jade was carefully polished and inspected before its delivery and presentation to its wealthy and powerful owner.
Early jade axes such as this one a have a rather thick, solid body, while later Neolithic blades are thinner and more refined with square, edged sides.
The Chinese word for jade is
“yu”
and this jade ritual axe is made from ancient nephrite jade that has been beautifully crafted in a fantastic cultural masterpiece.
It easily dates to 5,000-years-old.
It is made of pure Nephrite jade and has a wonderful, authentic patina that is a rich, brown color with orange highlights from the iron in the soil that was in contact with for 5,000 years!  It also is pitted from differential weathering, and has white calcification from the salts that have leached into the jade—all clear indicators of an authentic and original piece.
I have tested this jade and it tests as pure "nephrite
Yu
(Jade)" as the Chinese say.  I have examined this artifact under 10x magnification and have determined that there are no cracks, repairs, or damage of any kind.  The jade axe shows only evidence of heavy pitting and differential weathering--something that only happens when carved jade has been exposed to air and water for many thousands of years.  This is completely natural and is perhaps the best clue to look for in determining the age of jade.
I have carefully examined and authenticated this ritual Jade Axe as 100% authentic and original!
It will appraise as such by any knowledgeable Chinese jade expert or museum.
REFERENCES:
·
T
he Ancestral Landscape
, David N. Knightley, 2000
·
Chinese Characters,
Dr. L. Wieger, S.J.
·
The Great Bronze Age of China
:
An Exhibition from the People’s Republic of China
, edited by Wen Fong, 1980
·
Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC
·
Ancient Chinese Warfare
, Ralph D. Sawyer, Mei-chün Sawyer
·
Archaeology
, Archaeological Institute of America, Feb/March 2015
·
Shanghai Museum, China
·
Museum of Chinese History, Beijing, China
·
National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan
·
British Museum
·
Smithsonian Museum, Sackler & Freer Gallery, WDC
NOTE:
Please note that there are hundreds of modern reproduction axes for sale on eBay from China and the USA, but nearly all are modern fakes, and some aren’t even jade.
So please ensure that you are bidding on the real thing if that is what you want before you bid.
If you only want a reproduction piece for a few dollars that is simply fine, just be sure you are getting the quality and authenticity you are paying for.
Please examine the macro photos carefully as they are part of the description.
The stand and the AA battery are not part of the auction, just included to give you a better perspective.
And please ask any questions before you buy.
International Buyers are responsible for all import duties, import taxes, shipping charges and insurance costs.
International Returns are
NOT
accepted.  Thank You!
Note:
Please ask any questions you may have before you bid!  Thanks for Looking!