Chinese Shang Dynasty Bronze Spear Head- Lot 314, Auction 8/27/2018
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Chinese Shang Dynasty Bronze Spear Head- Lot 314, Auction 8/27/2018

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China, Shang Dynasty, 16th to 11th century BCE. This is a bronze spear head (in Chinese, a mao) with a highly defined ridge and hollow body as well as a hollow socket. This spear is hollow and was made to be an accompaniment to burial. Bronze weapons seem to have had some particular significance in burial, possibly indicating a higher status individual. For example, in a mass grave of Shang-period soldiers excavated by archaeologists at Yan, there were over 30 shafted weapons – but only two were bronze. The patina on this piece is particularly interesting, indicating an unusual copper alloy for the bronze. Size: 10.6″ L x 1.7″ W (26.9 cm x 4.3 cm)

Condition: Wear to the bronze, with olive green patina; one small corroded break in the blade and missing fragments from the end of the socket as shown. Some material remains inside of the socket.

Provenance: Ex – S.D. Collection, West Hollywood, Ca

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