Shang Dynasty Ceremonial Dagger Axe Ge

Shang dynasty, c. 1300 to 1046 BC, Anyang, Henan province, China

This spectacular and exceptionally rare cast bronze dagger, known as a ge, is a striking example of late Shang dynasty craftsmanship and ceremonial artistry. The dagger features a pointed blade on one end and an intricately cast ornament of a large-beaked, crested bird’s head on the other. The stylized bird head, rendered in relief, displays remarkable detail and artistry, indicative of its ritual and symbolic significance. While ge daggers were practical weapons of the late Shang period (c. 1300–1050 BC), the elaborate design and meticulous casting of this piece suggest it was primarily intended for ceremonial display rather than combat.

Bronze metallurgy in China dates back to around 2000 BC, with the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC) heralding the advent of advanced bronze artistry. The Shang society, the first historically documented civilization in China, emerged following the Neolithic cultures of Northern China. Its sophisticated social structure, governed by a king and his royal family, was supported by an extensive administrative system, skilled craftsmen, and labor from slaves and prisoners of war. Shang artisans were particularly renowned for their bronze work, producing extraordinary ritual vessels, weapons, and ornaments. These artifacts, often inscribed with early Chinese characters, offer invaluable insights into Shang religion, governance, and daily life. The inscriptions, found on both oracle bones and bronzes, are among the earliest examples of Chinese writing, showcasing the dynasty's significant cultural and intellectual achievements.

The Shang dynasty occupied three successive capitals in Henan province, with its final and most significant, Anyang, located south of present-day Beijing. It was in Anyang that Shang bronze craftsmanship reached its zenith, creating masterpieces celebrated for their artistic complexity and ritual importance. This ge dagger is not merely a weapon but a tangible link to the spiritual and ceremonial life of the Shang dynasty. Its intricate bird-head motif, imbued with symbolic resonance, reflects the dynasty's deep connection to ritual practice and its sophisticated aesthetic sensibilities.

Excellent condition. Intact. Age-related wear, dark green patina with malachite encrustation and some areas of brown cuprite. Size approx. 28,0cm x 6,5cm x 0,3cm.

Provenance: private collection from England

For a similar examples see: 

Ceremonial dagger, Minneapolis Institute of Art Collection, Accession Number: 50.46.67 (https://collections.artsmia.org/art/1133/ceremonial-dagger-china)

Ritual Dagger-Axe (ge), Saint Louis Art Museum, Accession Number: 481:1956 (https://www.slam.org/collection/objects/2313/)

Ge (ceremonial dagger-axe), University of Michigan Museum of Art, Accession Number: 1996/2.19 (https://umma.umich.edu/objects/ge-ceremonial-dagger-axe-1996-2-19/)