- 594
AN OPENWORK ARCHAIC BRONZE AXE BLADE EASTERN ZHOU DYNASTY, LATE 6TH - 5TH CENTURY BC
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 USD
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Description
- bronze
the bell-profile blade issuing from the rectangular tang, cast on both sides with a zigzag band at the base and a raised V-shape extending to the plain band at the blade's edge, the sides flanked by sinewy reticulated dragons, pierced in the tang and in the shaft, the patina of mottled russet and pale and olive greens
Provenance
Collection of Dr. Jörg Trübner, Berlin (d. 1930).
Collection of Edgar Worch, Berlin (1880-1972).
Collection of Adolphe Stoclet, Brussels (1871-1949).
Sotheby's London, 10th June, 1997, lot 109.
Collection of Bernadette and William M. B. Berger, Denver, Colorado, acquired in 1997.
Collection of Edgar Worch, Berlin (1880-1972).
Collection of Adolphe Stoclet, Brussels (1871-1949).
Sotheby's London, 10th June, 1997, lot 109.
Collection of Bernadette and William M. B. Berger, Denver, Colorado, acquired in 1997.
Literature
Otto Kümmel, Jörg Trübner zum Gedächtnis: Ergebnisse seiner letzten chinesischen Reisen, Berlin, 1930, pl. 23.
Sueji Umehara, 'Shina Kodai no Doriki ni tsuite [On Ancient Chinese Bronze Swords],' Tōhō Gakuhō (Kyōto), 1932, vol. II, pl. 6, fig. 1.
Sueji Umehara, Shina-Kodo Seikwa, part III, vol. II, 1933, pl. 99, fig. 2.
Sueji Umehara, 'Shina Kodai no Doriki ni tsuite [On Ancient Chinese Bronze Swords],' Tōhō Gakuhō (Kyōto), 1932, vol. II, pl. 6, fig. 1.
Sueji Umehara, Shina-Kodo Seikwa, part III, vol. II, 1933, pl. 99, fig. 2.
Condition
The blade is missing the head of one of the openwork dragons and the tip of the tail to the other dragon. There are minor nicks and dents to the edges overall. There is wear, pitting and erosion consistent with age. The patina is greener than the catalogue illustration.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
Axes of this form are rare, and ones with rounded edge and flanking dragons are highly unusual, but two blades of similar form are illustrated in Sueji Umehara's aforementioned article of 1932, pl. 6, figs. 2-3.