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BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE
ONLINE CATALOGUE
It is our belief that the full understanding of steel
weapons cannot be reached without going back to the early
weaponry, in as much as the saying no matter how tall a
leaf is, but when it falls it goes back to its roots.
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1.
Stone Axe-Spade
Period: Longshan Era (B.C.3000)
Collection: Zhengzhou Museum
Dimensions: Length 17.2 cm, width 9.4 cm, thick 1.6 cm.
The spade is made of stone. The body features the Chinese
character ‘凸’. The top of the hilt is oblique and the two
shoulders are unequal.
One is zhe jian (literally ‘folded shoulder’) and the
other is liu jian
(literally ‘smooth shoulder’). The body of the spade is in a
square
form with rounded corners, the lower part of it is a curved
single
edge, and it was incomplete due to frequent usage. The spade,
a
farming tool, was used for cutting grass, seedlings and
ploughing soil.
The bronze spade was developed from the stone spade and bone
spade. |
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2.
Stone knife with two-holes
Period: Shang Dynasty (B.C.1600-B.C.1046)
Collection: Zhengzhou Museum
Dimensions: length 9.0 cm, width 4.0 cm
The blade is made of stone and is trapezium shaped with an arc
back and round corner. The lower part has a single-faced
concave edge, with two peg-holes on the blade that are smooth
and glossy. The stone knife was used for agriculture. |
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3.
Bone Spade
Period: Shang Dynasty
Collection: Zhengzhou Museum
Dimensions: length 15.0 cm, width 4.5 cm
This spade is made of ground bones. The body of the spade is
long, while the upper part is narrow and the lower part is
wide. The hilt of the spade bends to one side and has a round
edge and single point.
One face is smooth while the other face is rough. The spade
was a
kind of agricultural utensil used for weeding, planting
seedlings and
loosing soil. Bronze spades were developed from stone spades
and
bone spades. |
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4.
Mixed-Jade Dagger-Axe
Period: Shang Dynasty (B.C.1600-B.C.1046)
Collection: Zhengzhou Museum
Dimensions: Length 10.7 cm, inner length 1.8 cm
This dagger-axe is of a grayish-white colour in a long-striped
shape.
The point is sharp. The yuan has a ridge and the two sides
were pared to form edges. There is no lan but it has a
straight tang, the
lower part of which is near the yuan and has a circular
peg-hole. The surface of the dagger-axe is smooth and the
production is delicate.
The dagger-axe is one of the most common weapons of the Shang
Zhou Dynasties. It was called a hook weapon in ancient times, i.e., it was
a weapon that ‘hooked’ enemies. |
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5.
Black Jade Dagger-Axe
Period: Western Zhou (B.C.1046- B.C.770)
Collection: Sanmenxia Museum
Dimensions: Length 14.0 cm, yuan width 1.8 cm, tang length
1.9 cm.
The dagger-axe is iron-grey in colour. The point is in an
isosceles triangle shape, and in the inner part of the yuan
are barely visible ridges. It is not edged. The end and the
main part of the yuan are of the same width. A peg-hole
can be found on the main part of the yuan. The tang is
narrower than the yuan. |
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6.
Jade Dagger-Axe
Period: Western Zhou (B.C.1046- B.C.770)
Collection: Sanmenxia Museum
Dimensions: Length 26.2 cm, yuan width 5.9 cm, tang length
6.3 cm.
Due to moisture, the dagger-axe has alternating yellow spots
of different values with white ones. The main part of the yuan
and the tang has substantial traces of silk fabric and
cinnabar. The jade is exquisite and the point is sharp and of
isosceles triangle shape. The yuan is ridged and the
main part has a peg-hole. The intersection between the yuan
and tang features a rhombus pattern. Several intaglio stripes
are inscribed on the rhombus pattern that extends to the tang. |
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7.
Period: Western Zhou (B.C.1046- B.C.770)
Collection: Sanmenxia Museum
Dimensions: Length 45.2 cm, yuan width 8.9 cm, tang length
10.7 cm.
This is a large weapon of deep and shallow yellow colouring
resulting from moisture. The side point is triangular and the
main part of the yuan has a round peg-hole. On the
upper main part of the yuan, there are four little
jigsaw-like holes as decorations.
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8.
Jade knife with ring pommel
Period: Western Zhou (B.C.1046- B.C.770)
Collection: Sanmenxia Museum
Dimensions: Height 11.7 cm, width 2.0 cm, depth 0.2 cm.
The knife is made of green jade and is coloured ice green. It
is partly affected by moisture with yellowish-brown and black
spots and flecks. The jade is delicate and slightly
translucent. The edge is sharp but with many tiny chips. |
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9.
Jade Axe
Period: Western Zhou (B.C.1046- B.C.770)
Collection: Sanmenxia Museum
Dimensions: Diameter14.4 cm, hole diameter 7.2 cm,
thickness 0.65 cm.
The axe is in the colour of green beans. The hilt is narrow;
the edge is wide and resembles an arc shape, the bevels of the
two sides have tooth-like decorations. There is a circular
peg-hole in the middle. The body of the axe has slight
yellowy-whitish stripes and spots. It is translucent, and the
back of the edge has been sharpened to form four tangs with a
curved oblique surface. The back reveals substantial traces of
cinnabar and cloth. |
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10.
Three-Winged Clam Arrowheads
Period: Shang Dynasty
(B.C.1600-B.C.1046)
Collection: Zhengzhou Museum
Dimensions: Average length 5.3 cm, diameter 1.8 cm.
The arrowheads have sharp trilateral points. The wings are
wide and have no back point. The base is tapered. The zu
(arrowhead) is the front edge of an arrow. In early
societies, the bow and arrow was a powerful long-range weapon. |
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11.
Bone Arrowheads
Period: Shang Dynasty (B.C.1600-B.C.1046)
Collection: Zhengzhou Museum
Dimensions:
Length: from 5.1 to 9.3 cm
Diameter: from 0.9 cm to 2.5 cm
Both ends of the arrowhead resemble a taper, the point is
sharp, the base and arrowhead are a single body. It is
wingless and the central part is flat. The cross-section is
rectangular and the polish and production is fine and
exquisite. The zu (arrowhead) is the front edge of an
arrow.
The bone arrowhead is of a shuttle-like shape with triangular
points, which no longer exist. The arrowhead body is round and
has a conical base. One face is smooth and the other is rough. |
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12.
Two-Winged Bronze Arrowhead
Period: Shang Dynasty (B.C.1600-B.C.1046)
Collection: Zhengzhou Museum
Dimensions: Body length 5.1 cm, grip 2.5 cm.
The arrowhead has two wings. The middle part has a ridge and
the
point is slightly blunt, with one long back point and the
other short.
The production is irregular. The arrowhead body features a
parallelogram and has a short grip. The arrowhead is the front
edge of the arrow base. The arrowhead is sharp, with two
spread wings, a ridge and a base. |
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13.
Bone Arrowhead
Period: Shang Dynasty (B.C.1600-B.C.1046)
Collection: Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research
Institute of
Henan Province
Dimensions: Exposed part - length 5.7 cm.
The arrowhead was found embedded in a human vertebra. The
arrowhead is triangular with a conical base. |
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14.
Bronze Arrowhead with Animal Design
Period: Western Zhou (B.C.1046-B.C.770)
Collection: Henan Museum
Dimensions: Lengths 2.8 cm-6.5 cm, base Length 1.8 cm-2.6
cm
This set of bronze arrowheads was found in the No.2001 tomb of
Guo state graveyard in San Men Gorge. There are different
arrowheads, each with individual function.
1. Wingless arrowhead with four-bladed point: The arrowhead
has a four-bladed point and is wingless, while the body
resembles a square-rhombus. The front end forms four sharp
points, each decorated with a cicada pattern while the back
has a cylinder- like peg-hole.
2. Wingless arrowhead with tapered point: The arrowhead has a
tapered point and is wingless. The front end forms a
four-angled point and the four sides of the body are decorated
with an animal design, while the back face forms an umbrella
shape from the ben (notch) to the guan (neck),
and the base at the end is somewhat tapered.
3. Two-winged arrowhead: The point of the arrowhead is sharp
and the two wings curved at the back have sharp edges. The
ridge is convex and the guan resembles a rhombus shape. At the
back of the guan is a cylinder base, which has a
section of an incomplete reed-made shaft. |
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15.
Jade Arrowhead
Period: Western Zhou (B.C.1046-B.C.770)
Collection: Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research
Institute of
Henan Province
Dimensions: Length 5.2 cm, wing width 3.2 cm, thickness
0.25 cm.
The translucent arrowhead is greyish-yellow in colour and has
whitish spots. It has a flat body, an incomplete base and a
sharp point. The back point is longer and the cross-section of
the base is rectangular.
Two parallel lines display the ridge. |
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16.
Tapered Bronze Arrowheads
Period: Spring and
Autumn Period (B.C.770-B.C.476)
Collection: Zhengzhou Museum
Dimensions: body length 5.9 cm, grip 5.2 cm
body length 6.6 cm, grip 8.2 cm.
The arrowheads are thin and long, and the tip is cone shaped.
The point is blunt and the base is long and cylindrical. The
zu (arrowhead) is the front edge of an arrow.
The tip of the arrowheads is cone shaped, sharp and round. The
base is long and slightly curved, and its width increases near
the blade. |
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17.
Bronze Arrowhead with Curved Wings
Period: Spring and Autumn Period (B.C.770-B.C.476)
Collection: Henan Museum
Dimensions: Average length: 9.7 cm-10.0 cm, base
length 3.5 cm-4.2 cm, width 1.8 cm.
The point of the arrowhead is sharp and acute and has two
narrow
wings with curved ends. These are also sharp and the back
point is short, which makes the ben (notch) and the
guan (neck) form a straight line. The ridge is protruding
and the guan (neck) resemble a rhombus shape. A
cylinder base is at the back. This set of bronze arrowheads
was discovered in the tomb of Huang Ji Tuo’s father in
Guangshan County, Henan Province during the Spring and Autumn
Period. It is a rare relic of ancient China. |
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18.
Bronze Arrowheads
Period: Warring States Period (B.C.475-B.C.221)
Collection: The Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research
Institute of Henan Province
Dimensions: Variable lengths between 15.6 cm - 16.7
cm, arrowhead length 7.6 cm, width 2.0 cm.
Their formations are similar and their bodies resemble a flat
rhombus shape. The ridges taper and have double wings. The
side-edges of the wings are extraordinarily keen and the
points are sharp. They have cylinder bases and differ in
length. |
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19.
Three facets Bronze Arrowhead with Long Base
Period: Warring States Period (B.C.475-B.C.221)
Collection: Zhengzhou Museum
Dimensions: average body lengths 4.3 cm, grip 16.5
cm
The arrowhead is tri-faceted. The point is keen and the wing
is small.
There is no back point. The base is thin and long and
resembles a cylinder. The arrowhead is well preserved although
slightly rusted. The zu (arrowhead) is the front edge
of an arrow. After the mid- Spring and Autumn Period, the
tri-faceted edged arrowhead became popular. This kind of
narrow-edge arrowhead appears to have a cross-section and
triangular stars. Ridge length is varied. |
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20.
Two-Winged Arrowheads
Period: Warring States Period (B.C.475-B.C.221)
Collection: Sanmenxia Museum
Dimensions: Lengths average 7.8 cm and base diameter
1.7 cm.
The arrowhead has a keen point and the two wings are sharp.
There is a high ridge near the arrowhead blade. It also has a
cylindrical base. |
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21.
Square Pyramidal Iron Arrowheads
Period: Han Dynasty (A.D.206-220)
Collection: Sanmenxia Museum
Dimensions:
Length 11.1 cm, base length 6.0 cm, wing length 3.7 cm
Length 11.7 cm, base length 6.2 cm, wing length 4.2 cm
Length 6.2 cm, base length 5.3 cm, wing length 4.1 cm
Length 10.6 cm, wing length 6.0 cm
Length 11.6 cm, base length 5.9 cm, wing length 4.4 cm.
This arrowheads have four angles with the four edges
meeting to form a point. The cross-section is square shaped,
while the cross section of the guan (neck) is round. It has a
long base. The two sides of the wing have marks. |
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22.
Iron Arrowheads
Period: The Three Kingdoms Period (A.D.220-A.D.280)
Collection: Henan Museum
Dimensions: Length 10.0 cm-12.5 cm, width 1.0cm-1.6 cm
A set of six
iron arrowheads, all excavated in Shengxi, which are
basically similar but of various sizes. They are of a
four-angled tapered shape and have sharp points.
Three-quarters down the back of the arrowheads, they gradually
shrink to form a rhombus guan (neck). The back part is a
rod-like base but only a little survives due to rusting. |
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23.
Bronze Knife with Ring Pommel
Period: Shang Dynasty
Collection: Sanmenxia Museum
Dimensions: Length 22.6 cm, hilt length 8.0 cm, width 3.2
cm, thick 0.4 cm.
The knife has a round pommel, the hilt is narrow and the
back slightly bends downwards. The point of the knife rises
upwards and the middle part of the edge is slightly concave.
It is in good condition. |
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24.
Dagger-Axe. Pommel with Chinese Character
Period: Shang Dynasty (B.C.1600-B.C.1046)
Collection: Henan Museum
Dimensions: Length 34.5 cm, yuan length 22.5 cm, yuan
width 6.2 cm.
This is an animal shaped curved tang dagger-axe without a
lan. It is large and the yuan is stripe-shaped. The
upper edge is slightly concave while the lower edge is
slightly convex. The point is triangular and the yuan
has a mid-ridge without a lan at the back of the
yuan. The inner front part is narrow while the back
features a hollowed out beaked bird, with a short body and
tail. The two faces of the body of the bird are basically the
same but one face appears to have a Chinese character and
yuan. |
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25.
Bronze Knife with Ox Head
Period: Shang Dynasty
Collection: Henan Museum
Dimensions: Length 33.0 cm, edge width 4.0 cm, hilt length
12.0 cm.
The bow-shaped knife is cast of bronze. The ridge is wide
and thick and gradually forms an edge. The front end of the
edge is sharp and tapers to a point. The back end becomes
progressively wider. The hilt is hollow with a cord pattern.
The pommel is an ox head.
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26.
Ring Pommel Knife
Period: Warring States Period
Collection: Zhengzhou Museum
Dimensions: Length 23.3 cm, hilt length 8.7 cm
The pommel is slightly curved upwards, with an arc edge
that is slightly incomplete. The cross-section of the blade is
triangular in shape, and the blade has a thick and straight
back. The hilt has a ridge in the middle and its cross-section
is wedge-shaped. The blade is plain with no design. The edge
of the middle part of the blade is slightly concave due to
long use.
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27.
Ancient Bronze Ritual Battleaxe with Taotie Motif
Period: Shang Dynasty
Collection: Cultural Relics Store, Kaifeng City
Dimensions: Height 33.4 cm, edge width 38.3 cm.
The bronze battleaxe is of rectangular trapezium shape. It has
a flat edge with wide shoulder. Two sides under the shoulder
have a
rectangle peg-hole and a square tang. The two sides of the
back of the battleaxe are cast with a set of convex taotie
(a ferocious mythical animal) design. The mouth of the taotie
is hollow. The size of the battleaxe is large, and the design
is clear and well preserved, which is seldom seen. |
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28.
Bronze Battleaxe with Zoomorphic Motif
Period: Shang Dynasty
Collection: Zhengzhou Museum
Dimensions: Length 17.5 cm, inner length 4.3 cm.
The bronze battle-axe blade is long and narrow on the upper
part and wide at the lower part. Both sides are concave; the
edge extends and the outer part features a convex arc. The two
shoulders are of equal length, with a rectangular peg-hole in
each. The straight tang of the battleaxe is wide, with a
circular hole in the middle. The battleaxe blade is decorated
with taotie (a ferocious mythical animal) design and is
thick and heavy. The battleaxe is an ancient weapon or
implement of punishment for slaying. There is some delicate
chasing design, which means it may have served as a ceremonial
mace. |
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29.
Straight-Edged Axe with Pole Hole
Period: Shang Dynasty
Collection: Sanmenxia Museum
Dimensions: Total length 17.9 cm, body length 15.6 cm,
width 2.2 cm, thickness 3.9 cm.
The peg-hole is elliptically shaped and is wider than the
blade of the axe. One end has a flat round ring. The axe is
two-face edged, the axe blade is long and the there’s
decorated with a sun pattern while one side of the peg-hole is
decorated with reticulate design. |
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30.
Bronze Battle Axe
Period: Shang Dynasty
Collection: Sanmenxia Museum
Dimensions: Length 17.5 cm, hilt length 5.5 cm, width 6.5
cm,
thickness 0.5 cm, hole diameter 1.4 cm.
The edge of the battleaxe is curved in the front and it has a
5.5cm
long hilt. In the middle are right angled, symmetrical square
holes on both left and right. On the back and middle of the
battleaxe is a
circular hole of 1.2cm.diameter. |
