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Carving: O.3-1940

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Current Location: In storage

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Description

Semi-translucent grey green jade with brownish veins, carved in the form of an archaic axe head, surmounted by a recumbent quadruped. The edges of the axe are flanked by reticulated flanges and the middle section of the axe is decorated with even rows of relief spirals. The deer on the top holds a lingzhi fungi lotus spray or lotus leaf, a motif that was popular in the Song dynasty. However, the combination of a deer with a ceremonial blade suggests it might have been copied from the woodblock print during the 18th century

Measurements and weight

Length: 12.5 cm
Width: 5.5 cm

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1940) by Hornblower, G. D., OBE

Dating

18th Century
1700 - 1800

Materials used in production

Nephrite

References and bibliographic entries

Related exhibitions

Identification numbers

Accession number: O.3-1940
Primary reference Number: 167841

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 4 August 2025

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Carving" Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/167841 Accessed: 2025-12-05 07:17:44

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{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/167841 |title=Carving |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 07:17:44|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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