Sceptre, Liangzhu Culture (ca. 3200-2200 BC). Jade. Upper Accessory - Length 7.7 cm, Width 3.7 cm; Jade Jue (axe) - Length 17 cm, Width of blade 9.6 cm; Lower Accessory - Length 6 cm, Width 2.9 cm. Unearthed from Liangzhu tomb at Fuquanshan, Qingpu, Shanghai in 1984. © Shanghai Museum 

The jade sceptre is an important example of Liangzhu Culture, formed from the combination of a jade Yue (axe) and two small accessories. As a symbol of power, the sceptre was often held by clan chiefs whose power combined the military, political, and magical.