Ancient Chinese Ritual Bronze Tiger Halberd \"Ji\" Axe. W.Zhou Dynasty 1100-770 BC

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Ancient Chinese Ritual Bronze Tiger Halberd \"Ji\" Axe. W.Zhou Dynasty 1100-770 BC:
$3950.00

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Ancient Civilizations

Antiques, Artifacts & Fine Collectibles

Ancient Chinese Ritual Bronze Tiger Halberd Axe (Chinese: 戟 Ji)

ASacrifice to the Gods to Honor a Military General

c.Western Zhou Dynasty

1027BC—221 BC

Item: BronzeWestern Zhou Halberd (Chinese: 戟 Ji)

Material: Cast Bronze {copper & tin alloy}

Size: 9\" (23 cm) high x 9\" (23 cm) wide x .30\" (7.6 mm) thick

Weight: 1.32 lb. (600 gr.)

Origin: China, Henan Province

Est. Age: Western Zhou Dynasty (1100 BC—770 BC)

Condition: Museumquality, “as found” condition with light bronze oxidation of green malachiteand some earthen deposits.

Basedupon comparisons made with known ancient Chinese halberds (Chinese: 戟 Ji), bronzeblades with this configuration of blades and with the bold Tiger motif suggestthat this lovely ji dates to the Zhouperiod, specifically the Western Zhou period that dates from 1122 BC—770 BC, as the Tiger motif was a popular in cast bronzeduring this time period.

Thisbronze Ji measures about 9” x 9” and weighs 1.32 lbs. It was cast with a crouching Tiger in lowrelief on both sides of the blade. Ithas four holes cast into the base of blade that would have been used to securelylash the Ji to a long pole arm/spearof wood or bamboo. There also appears tobe two crouching beasts cast into the tang of the blade. I can see no inscriptions on the Ji that would dedicate it to aparticular person or family.

Thisbronze halberd was a hybrid type of jithat could be used as an axe, pointed spear, curved crescent blade, or has ahook to pull cavalry off their horses or shields from army warriors. This jiwould likely have been hafted to a very long pole-arm that are thought to havebeen between 1.8—2.7 meters long, although one exceptional ji was mounted on a pole-arm that was over 4 meters (12 feet long).

Manyexcavated dagger-axes are ceremonial weapons found in the tombs of aristocrats.These examples are often found within the coffins themselves, possibly meant toserve as emblems of authority and power, or in some other ritualistic capacity.Sometimes they are found in a pit dug beneath a coffin, with a victim who wassacrificed to guard the tomb, where they presumably are intended to keep thespirit-guard armed.

TheHalberd (Ji) in Ancient China

TheAncient Chinese halberd or “Ji” was across between a spear and an axe. It was commonly used by infantrybutalso by cavalry and charioteers. Therewere manydifferentways to use a halberd: you could drive thepoint straight into someone,slice them with the axe blade, hit them with the shaft then hook them in thegap between the axe blade and shaft. You could even slap someone off theirhorse with the flat side of the blade.

Theji was initially a hybrid between aspear and a dagger-axe. It was a relatively common infantry weapon in AncientChina, and was also used by cavalry and charioteers.

Theywere effectively used in for multiple means of attack: the side blade orblades, the spear tip, plus often a rear counterweight that could be used tostrike the opponent. The way the side blades were fixed to the shaft differs,but usually there were empty spaces between the pole and the side blade. Thewielder could strike with the shaft, with the option of then pulling the weaponback to hook with a side blade; or he could slap his opponent with the flatside of the blade to knock him off his horse.

CONDITION

Museums and modern archaeological studiesusually use the general term “copper alloy” instead of just the term “bronze”to describe these ancient treasures, as many other elements (such as tin, lead,zinc, iron, and even arsenic) were added to the copper to form differentstrengths of types of bronze items.Ancient bronze artifacts such as this censer vessel are probably about 80%copper and 20% tin, while modern bronze is closer to 88% copper and 12% tin.

It has a wonderful old, patina that isabsolutely fabulous: areas of a blue-green patina from the azurite and malachitein the surrounding soil. This combination of colors forms a fantastic patinathat is typical of bronze that has been buried for over 3,000 years. Close examination with a microscope undernatural and black light reveal it to be 100% authentic and cast by hand in asand mold.

One interesting property of bronze is thatonce it has oxidized superficially, a copper oxide layer is formed on thesurface and essentially protects the object from further damagingcorrosion. This protective layer turnsin another compound, called copper carbonate for you scientists out there,which protects most bronze pieces from further corrosion.

I have carefully examined this item undermagnification and it shows authentic and original signs of weathering andground contact that help to further authenticate it as an ancient piece. It shows minor oxidation and is in very goodcondition.

I Guarantee this bronze halberd is authentic or your money back!You will not be disappointed! Itis a museum quality, ancient Chinese work of art.

It is a wonderful piece and would look greatdisplayed next to your other fine ancient Chinese jade and bronze pieces!

REFERENCES

1. Museum of Chinese History, Beijing
2. The Ancestral Landscape, David N. Knightley, 2000
3. The Great Bronze Age of China, edited by Wen Fong, MET, 1980
4. British Museum, Jessica Rawson
5. Smithsonian Museum, Sackler & Freer Gallery, WDC
   
6. MET, New York

ESTIMATEDsale VALUE & SAVINGS

This ancient Bronze Ji has an sale appraisal estimate of US $4,000--$6,000. It will come with a Certificate ofAuthenticity (COA) from Ancient Civilizations.

In March 2011, Christie\'s saleed a similar pair of Western Zhou Bronze Ji, but that were not cast with Tigers. Christie\'sestimated they would sell for $6,000 to $8,000. The final hammer price in NYC was an \"eye-popping\" $30,000! You can purchase this Bronze Ji for a fraction of that price.

Remember,on you pay no 20% buyer’s premium on the sale price! So, if this listed censer sold for $4,000 at an upscale sale house in New York or Hong Kong, youthe buyer would save the buyer’s premium of $800 over what you would have topay if you purchased the exact same item on . never charges a buyer’s premium; onlythe seller pays a final value premium. Yetanother reason to shop for fine antiquities on and not at expensivesale houses.

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Ancient Chinese Ritual Bronze Tiger Halberd \"Ji\" Axe. W.Zhou Dynasty 1100-770 BC:
$3950.00