Lot 910. Property from a Private Washington, D. C. Collection. A mottled grey hardstone adze, ben, Neolithic period, Liangzhu Culture, circa 3300-2300 BC; 11.7 cm long. Estimate USD 5,000 – USD 7,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2023

Provenance: J.J. Lally & Co., New York, 9 November 1995.

Note: While the stone adze is associated with woodworking, the fine workmanship, crisp outlines, highly polished surface and near pristine condition of the present adze indicates its purpose was likely ceremonial rather than functional, and that it would have been intended for an individual of high status. A similar stone adze from Fuquanshan, Qingpu county, is illustrated by Huang Xuanpei, Gems of Liangzhu Culture, Hong Kong, 1992, p. 68, no. 11. See, also, the two Liangzhu stone adzes sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, Chinese Archaic Jades from The Yangdetang Collection, Part II, 28 November 2018, lot 2703. The stepped tang at the butt end of these stone adzes would have allowed them to be secured firmly to the wooden handles onto which they were hafted.

Lot 911. Property from a Private Washington, D. C. Collection. Two grey stone axes, Neolithic period, Liangzhu Culture, circa 3300-2300 BC; 14 cm and 12.5 cm long. Estimate USD 2,500 – USD 3,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2023

Provenance: Christie's New York, 23 March 1995, lots 321 and 322.

Note: The distinct, layered sedimentary structure of the smaller axe is associated with Yangzi River delta deposits. Compare the stone axe with similar banded sedimentary structure, from Fuquanshan, Qingpu county, illustrated by Huang Xuanpei, Gems of Liangzhu Culture, Hong Kong, 1992, pp. 62-3, no. 8.

The larger axe was made from a fine-grained grey hardstone similar to that of the stone adze, lot 910.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, New York, 21 sept. 11:30AM & 22 sept. 9AM EDT