Description:

China, Bashu culture, Warring States Period or Earlier, ca. pre- 400 BCE. An incredibly striking Bashu dagger, with long beak-shaped blade with central ridge, curving towards one side and having complex Taotie masks on each side, flared guard, two pseudo-piercings at the hu, and rectangular nei with two horns on top and beautiful geometric pattern on both sides. Large hole on blade and nei. The pseudo-piercings below the hu suggest that this piece was used only as a grave good, not in actual warfare. Silvered bronze. 12"H. Custom stand.

Cf. Chengdu Museum for a very similar dagger Identified as Bashu (4th century BCE)

Provenance: Ex-Connell Collection, MA; Ex-R. Nable Collection, GA.

All items in this auction are legal to buy/sell under U.S. statute covering cultural patrimony per United States Code 2600, CHAPTER 14 -- CONVENTION ON CULTURAL PROPERTY, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

  • Condition: Choice.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

June 13, 2014 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 20% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000