Hatchet
Unknown Artist
Medium
Jadeite, very dark green, almost black, with a veining and mottling of brown
Dimensions
H. 2 3/16 in. (5.6 cm); W. 1 9/16 in. (4 cm); D. 9/16 in. (1.5 cm)
Classification
Jade
Culture
France
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902
Accession Number
02.18.208
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian department, this petite jadeite hatchet, gifted by collector Heber R. Bishop 1902, captivates with its intense, almost black green hue, accented by striking brown veining and mott. Measuring just 2 3/16 inches high, 1 9/16 inches wide, and9/16 inch deep, its compact form suggests it was not a practical tool but rather a ceremonial or ornamental object, meticulously carved from a premium hardstone prized for its durability and luminous quality. Jadeite, a rarer cousin to nephrite jade, holds deep cultural resonance across traditions, symbolizin...