1. Original Folder Sheet note indicates name of source and location at date of acquisition. Source address listed in this record is most current.
Acquired by gift of Senator Hugh Scott. When exhibited: Gift of Senator and Mrs. Hugh Scott.
2. (Jeffrey Smith per Keith Wilson, July 8, 2008) Tool and Equipment added as secondary classification.
3. (Susan Kitsoulis per Keith Wilson, April 20, 2010) Object name changed from "Axe (fu 斧)" to "Ceremonial object."
4. (Jeffrey Smith per Janet Douglas, May 12, 2010) Serpentine added as modifier to existing medium of "jade" based on conservation analysis.
5. (Najiba Choudhury per Keith Wilson, August 14, 2017) Title changed from "Axe (fu)" to "Axe (fu 斧)"; period one changed from "Neolithic period" to "Late Neolithic period"; and date changed from "ca. 2000 BCE" to "ca. 5000-1700 BCE".
6. (Najiba Choudhury per Keith Wilson, December 14, 2018) Added Chinese translation by Jingmin Zhang; and removed the following from the description field, "Ax with biconical perforation. Blackish stone with irregular mottled gray areas throughout. The wide-mouthed biconical perforation is placed along the median axis at the butt end of the ax. The asymmetrical contours of the perforation indicate that they were formed by pecking rather than by being drilled. There is a small concave circle above the perforation on one surface of the ax. The clearly articulated cutting edge shows signs of wear. The side view reveals a slightly tapering, lentoid body. The surfaces of the ax are polished and even." Added the following to the description field, "Axe, or fu, with biconical perforation.Blackish stone with irregular mottled gray areas throughout. The wide mouthed biconical perforation is placed along the median axis at the butt end of the axe. The asymmetrical contours of the perforation indicate that they were formed by pecking rather than by being drilled. There is a small concave circle above the perforation on one surface of the axe. The clearly articulated cutting edge shows signs of wear. The side view reveals a slightly tapering, lentoid body. The surfaces of the ax are polished and even."
Usage conditions apply
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections..
International Image Interoperability Framework