Knife
Unknown Artist
Medium
Jadeite, light greenish gray
Dimensions
H. 2 5/16 in. (5.8 cm); W. 7/8 in. (2.3 cm); D. 1/2 in. (1.3 cm)
Classification
Jade
Culture
Switzerland
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902
Accession Number
02.18.196
Art Historical Context
This delicate jadeite knife, carved from light greenish gray stone, exemplifies the ancient craftsmanship of Swiss culture. Measuring just 2 5/16 inches in height, it is a compact tool, likely from prehistoric times, when jadeite—known for its exceptional hardness and translucency—was prized for functional and possibly ceremonial objects. Its smooth, polished surfaces suggest skilled lapidary techniques, transforming a challenging material into a precise blade form. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department part of the Heber R. Bishop gift 1902, this knife bridges Europe...