‘Ya Zhang’ ceremonial jade blade, Shang dynasty

Crafted from pale green jade, with a mottled ochre patina and traces of iron-rich deposits that bear witness to its age. The piece features a long, slender blade that widens slightly towards a concave, crescent-shaped tip. The hilt has a handle decorated with relief carvings forming a central taotie mask. Due to its extraordinary size and the fineness of its carving, this Ya Zhang (牙璋) represents the power of the elite. Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BC) or later.

Size: 41 x 0.5 x 6.5 cm

Weight: 197 g

Provenance: Collection of Tommy Lam, Hong Kong, since 1980.