Date: Late Xia (18th – 16th century BC)

Dimensions: Full Length 35.6 cm, Blade Width 33.2 cm, Thickness 9 mm

Weight: 5,160 g

• Object Type：
  • BRONZE
• Location：
  • Ancient Chinese Bronze Gallery
• Tag：
  • yue weapon cross pattern late xia bronze axe

This broad-axe is thick and solid, inlaid with delicate and beautiful decorations which are very well preserved. There are two rectangular holes on the body for leather straps to pass through to fix wooden handle. 
Yue is a long-handled arc-bladed hacking weapon, as well as an instrument of torture. This function was clearly manifested in the pictographic characters of head-chopping on the inscriptions of bronzes. However, some Yue like this large and heavy broad-axe, with flat end and edgeless blade, without any trace of use, are assumed to be for ritual use only. This kind of Yue is generally found in tombs along with other exquisite funerary objects, as a symbol of monarchical or military power.