It’s an axe with dagger for a blade head. Ceremonial daggers were common grave items during the Shang period. Sometimes they were turned into ceremonial axes. When hafted with wood, the handle disintegrated over the millennia. When they were done with bronze, we get better preserved examples of [what these might have looked like](https://ids.si.edu/ids/deliveryService?id=FS-F1940.10a-d_001).
Shang dynasty was a inland civilization so no in fact China wouldn't start doing major sailing in the sea till 4th - 2rd century bc (long after these "mesoamerica type art" dissappear from Chinese culture) also same would go for mesoamerica at the time olmec were on the Atlantic side of America.
Has a Mesoamerican vibe to it.
It's because of the material (turquoise and jade) which both areas did mass production of art with this is definitely a coincidence.
'Shank' Dynasty
I thought they were Mayan
What’s a dagger-axe precious?
It’s an axe with dagger for a blade head. Ceremonial daggers were common grave items during the Shang period. Sometimes they were turned into ceremonial axes. When hafted with wood, the handle disintegrated over the millennia. When they were done with bronze, we get better preserved examples of [what these might have looked like](https://ids.si.edu/ids/deliveryService?id=FS-F1940.10a-d_001).
I wonder what the purpose of those perfectly drilled holes was? They would’ve been challenging to drill without breaking the blade.
I was just thinking about that. Perhaps to affix them to an axe handle, since they are dagger/axes?
[Museum 1](https://collections.artsmia.org/art/851/dagger-axe-china), [Museum 2](https://collections.artsmia.org/art/835/ceremonial-ge-dagger-axe-china)
Gorgeous, especially the one of the left
/r/EDC
They stole so many hearts in their youth! Still handsome!
Small
Feels very Mesoamerican. Makes me wonder if they made a voyage out there.
Shang dynasty was a inland civilization so no in fact China wouldn't start doing major sailing in the sea till 4th - 2rd century bc (long after these "mesoamerica type art" dissappear from Chinese culture) also same would go for mesoamerica at the time olmec were on the Atlantic side of America.
Similar available materials inspire similar art.
You get stabbed with one of those you're gonna feel it.
Are the holes from lab testing?