Chinese Liangzhu Jade Axe Amulet w/Taotie Monster & FIre-Breathing Dragon

Description

ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Artifacts, Antiques, & Fine Collect
i
bles
Neolithic Chinese Ritual Jade Axe Head Amulet
Two Fire-Breathing Dragons & Immortal “
Taotie
” Monster
Sacrifices of Slain Animals for Their Ancestors in Heaven (
Ti’en
)
c. Liangzhu Culture
3500 BC to 2100 BC
“A Dragon can be unseen or visible, minute or huge,
long or short.  However, always it is great.”
—Shuo Wen (c. 100 AD)
NOTE:
This item is legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and is guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
This item will come with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) from ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS.
NOTE:
William 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 Liangzhu Culture (3500 BC—2100 BC).
That’s right, this wonderful ritual jade axe symbolizes the military authority and high status of its ancient Chinese male owner, that is symbolized by a fierce Sacred Monster called a “Taotie” and a Fire-Breathing Dragons--these omnipotent beasts were used to denote a Warlord/King/ Emperor, who was the literal "Son 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:
Length:  4.17"  (106mm)
Width:
2.52"  (64mm)
Thickness:
.41" (10mm)
Weight:
5 oz. (142 gr.)
Condition
This nephrite jade axe has it original, dark-green color that is accented with a beautiful, incised image of a mythical, Monster called a “Taotie,” two painted Fire-Breathing Dragons, and a slain beast all offered for sacrifice by the sons of the departed father to the Ancestors.
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 pecked figures that only occurs 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 Liangzhu jade.
It has common, surface jade fissures, but it does not appear to have been repaired or restored and does not affect the condition or value.
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 .44” suspension hole represented Heaven (in Chinese
Tien
).
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.
On both sides of the axe is the painted images of large, 4” long, Fire-Breathing Dragons!
On both sides of the axe, there are
images of the Son killing two animals as a sacrifice to the Ancestors.
These images are pecked, incised, and in one case painted onto the jade.
Even smaller and somewhat hidden are pictographs inside the suspension hole!
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.
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.
The Immortal Mythical Beast—
Taotie
Located at the center of the front side of this amulet is the image of the
Taotie
, a fierce, mythical creature that was thought to scare away evil spirits.
He is prominently featured on the center, front of the amulet
(see macro photo # 2),
with his nose in the center, two large circular eyes, and a rectangle shaped mouth that is ready to devour any Evil Spirits that might prevent the soul of this man from reaching his ancestors in Heaven.
His oversized round eyes and horizontal mouth have been incised into the hard jade with the finest of cut lines and are utterly amazing.
Some experts suggest that a shard of flint or even an iron meteorite awl was used by the Neolithic stone masons to make these ultra-thin cut lines, as Neolithic cultures did not have iron tools to incise the extremely hard jade.
The ceremonial axe appears to have several pictograms that were painted in black and white, mineral pigment colors onto the highly-polished surface of the old sage when it was made and dedicated to him millennia ago.
However, the pictograms have faded or blurred, and I cannot see the images clearly enough to identify and to translate them.
Archaeologists classify these holes as “uniform bore holes,” which were one of the common types of holes made during the Liangzhu Culture.
It was necessary to drill from both sides with a hollow, animal bone 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 class.
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 when placed in a tomb.
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 Liangzhu 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, reddish-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--"soft Jade."  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.
Dragon Symbolism in China
In China, the Dragon (in Chinese “
Long
”) has for millennia been the symbol of the Emperor, the Son of Heaven, eternity, Yang and Yin, as well as for male vigor and fertility.
The Dragon is considered as one of the 12 Ornaments and one of the most comp00lex and multi-tiered Chinese symbols. The Chinese dragon can fiercely protect one from Evil Spirits and harm.
The nine major characteristics of a lung-type dragon include a camel-like head, deer-like horns, hare-like eyes, bull-like ears, an iguana-like neck, a frog-like belly, carp-like scales, tiger-like paws and eagle-like claws.
This bronze dragon has a pair of large canine teeth and long, tendril-like whiskers extending from either side of its mouth that were thought to be used for feeling its way along the bottom of muddy ponds.
In China, the dragon is credited with having great powers that allowed it to make rain and control floods by striking the river with its mighty tail, for example.
Dragons are also revered for their ability to transport humans to the celestial realms after death.
They are symbols of the natural world, adaptability, and transformation to immortal status. When two dragons are placed together in opposite directions, they symbolize eternity, i.e., the famous Yin-Yang symbol.
Chinese emperors literally thought they were the real dragons and Sons of Heaven. Thus, the beds they slept on are called "dragon beds;" the throne, a "dragon seat;" and the emperor's ceremonial dresses are known as "dragon robes."
In the minds of the early Chinese people, the dragon was a god that embodied the will and ideals of the Chinese people. It is said that the dragon is a large-scaled reptile, which can become dark or bright, large or small, long or short, and fly into the sky in the spring and live underwater in the fall.
It seems that the dragon is capable of doing almost anything.
Traditionally, the dragons were considered the governors of rainfalls in Chinese culture. They had the power to decide where and when it would rain. They also believed kings of water dragons lived in dragon palaces under the ocean. The Chinese sign for the dragon appeared during the Yin and Shang dynasties (16th-11th century BC -- the period of the earliest Chinese hieroglyphs), between inscriptions on bones and turtle shields. The inscriptions depicted a horned reptile, with teeth, scales and sometimes even claws.
In ancient China, nobody had any doubt about the existence of dragons. People showed great respect for any depictions of dragons -- in paintings, carvings and writings. As a result, the dragon became the symbol of the Chinese nation. All people in China, including the emperor, prostrated themselves before the image of a dragon with reverence and awe. As a result, this fictional creature became the spiritual sustenance for the nation first as the totem of a tribe and then as the symbol of the nation. Eventually, the dragon became the symbol on the national flag of the last feudal dynasty, the Qing Dynasty. The Chinese people considered themselves the descendants of the dragon.
As the emblem of the emperor and imperial command, the legend of the Chinese dragon permeates the ancient Chinese civilization and has shaped its culture. Its benevolence signifies greatness, goodness and blessings.
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, russet and tan highlights from the iron in the soil that is was in contact with for 5,000 years!
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.
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 insure 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 just fine, just be sure you are getting the quality and authenticity you are paying for.
Please examine the macro photos taken indoors carefully, as they are part of the description.
The stand and AA battery are not part of the auction, just included to give you a better perspective.
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