From the Shang Dynasty (1600 - 1046 B.C.), excavated at Yidu, Shangdong Province, via The Ancient World. A different axe, from the same era, and also incorporating a human face, is here. Commentary I've seen suggets that these were more symbolic or ceremonial than functional.
While quickly searching this subject, I found an even more interesting item (source):
The National Gallery of Art says "In 1989 archaeologists digging at Dayangzhou south of the Yangzi unearthed a tomb filled with intricately patterned bronzes in imaginative shapes as well as a double-sided human mask without precedent in Shang centers in the north."
I'm puzzled at how a "double-sided" object would function as a "mask," but what really intrigued me was the resemblance of this 2000+- year-old object to a more familiar face:
Before I even scrolled down for the final photo, I thought "Wallace!"
ReplyDeleteYep. CHEEEEZE!
I believe this calls for a "CAN'T UNSEE!!!"
ReplyDeleteThat is a pretty awesome piece of art, and yup I see the resemblance between Wallace, though the little twriling pieces on top remind me of Gromit's ears.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's quite like a mashup of the two. Rather remarkable.
ReplyDelete