Hatchet
Unknown Artist
Medium
Jadeite
Dimensions
H. 2 11/16 in. (6.9 cm); W. 1 5/16 in. (3.3 cm); D. 11/16 in. (1.8 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
02.18.215
Art Historical Context
This exquisite jadeite hatchet, measuring just 2 11/16 inches high, exemplifies the timeless allure of jade carving. Crafted from jadeite—a rare, vibrant green stone prized for its toughness and lustrous polish—the small object (H. 2 11/16 in.; W. 1 5/16 in.; D. 11/16 in.) suggests meticulous handwork by an unknown artist. Its compact form hints at ceremonial or symbolic use, where jade's imperial associations in various cultures elevated everyday tools into objects of reverence. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department and classified as jade, this piece entered the col...