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Axes: Bronze axe, Shang dynasty

Date

Authors

Consten, Eleanor von Erdberg
Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

Description

The size of this axe indicates that it was probably used as a sacrificial weapon in the beheading of human or animal victims. Leather straps were drawn through the slits in the blade, thus fixing it firmly to the wooden shaft. The perforated animal design is a t'ao-t'ieh (taotie) flanked by dragons. -- h: 35 cm.

Keywords

China, metalwork, bronze, book scan

Citation

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/1885/208088

Collections

Basham Photographs

Source

Type

Image

Archives Series

Date created

1958

Access Statement

License Rights

This image is provided for research purposes only and must not be reproduced without the prior permission of the Archives Program, Australian National University.

DOI

Restricted until

Downloads

File
Description
ANUA 682-5004.tif (15.49 MB)

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