Neolithic Chinese Jade Yue Axe Head Amulet with Large Fire Breathing Dragon

Description

ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Artifacts, Antiques, & Fine Collect
i
bles
Neolithic Chinese Jade Ritual Jade Axe Head
Imperial
Amulet
Fire-Breathing Dragon &
Sacrifices of Slain Animals for Their Ancestors in Heaven (
Ti’en
)
c. Hongshan Culture
4500 BC to 2250 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:
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 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, that is symbolized by two Fire-Breathing Dragons--the omnipotent beasts used to denote the 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:  4.28"  (109mm)
Width:   1.93"  (49mm)
Thickness:  .57" (15mm)
Weight:  5.8 oz. (165 gr.)
Condition
This nephrite jade axe has it original, dark-green color that is accented with a beautiful, pecked image of a Fire-Breathing Dragon and slain beasts for sacrifice 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.
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.
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 the front of the axe in the lower half is a large and deeply pecked image of a Fire-Breathing Dragon!  He is about 2.16" (55mm) long and is running to the left with his tail extended as he runs at full speed breathing a ball of Fire!  You can even see the ball of fire that is shown between his open jaws.  {See macro photo # 2}
On both sides of the axe, there appear to be
images of the Son killing animals as a sacrifice to the Ancestors.
These images are pecked into the jade and are small and somewhat unrecognizable, as they were meant only for the eyes 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.
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 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, 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.  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 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 taken indoors 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.
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