Knife
Unknown Artist
Medium
Nephrite
Dimensions
H. 2 5/16 in. (5.9 cm); W. 13/16 in. (2.1 cm); D. 3/16 in. (0.5 cm)
Classification
Jade
Culture & Period
Asia or America · Prehistoric
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902
Accession Number
02.18.283
Art Historical Context
This petite nephrite jade knife, measuring just 2 5/16 inches in height, exemplifies the ingenuity of prehistoric craftsmanship from either Asia or the Americas. Carved from nephrite—a tough, durable variety of jade prized for its resilience—this slender tool (2 5/16 x 13/16 x 3/16 inches) likely served practical purposes, such as cutting or scraping, in daily life or rituals before metal tools emerged. Its smooth, polished surface hints at advanced stone-working techniques, achieved through patient abrasion and polishing with softer materials, showcasing the maker's skill despite the absence ...