Page 129 - Deydier The_Lippens_Collection_of_Ancient_Chinese_Bronzes

37 – bronze dagger-axe kui
LATE SHANG DYNASTY / EARLY WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY
CIRCA 12 / 11 – 10 CENTURIES B. C.
TH
TH
TH
L.: 30.9 CM
Bronze dagger-axe, its long triangular blade with a rounded tip per-
forated near its upper end by a circular hole across the median ridge.
Each side of the blade is decorated with a taotie mask in relative-
ly high relief, with curved horns, circular eyes, a small snout, and
a stylized upper jaw decorated with small raised dots within its
grooves.
The weapon’s rectangular handle is also pierced in its centre with
a round hole and decorated with a T-shaped geometric pattern.
The dagger-axe is covered with areas of green and azurite blue patina.

PROVENANCE

– Eskenazi Ltd, London, UK, 1999.
– Count & Countess Paul Lippens Collection, Brussels, Belgium, 1999.

128