• Dimension: Height: 15 5/8 in (39.5 cm) Length: 4 3/8 in (10.8 cm) Width: 7/8 in (2.3 cm)
• Estimate From: $1500
• Estimate To: $1800

The axe-head carved from celadon jade in the form of a scaled and horned beast with massive head, opening mouth to disgorge the moon-shaped blade, mounted to a wooden shaft terminating in a vajra-shaped jade point carved from similar color stone mounted to its opposite end. Qing Dynasty period.

玉斧這一玉器造型在石器時代就已出現，玉斧在周代爲象徵性工具，是在一種特定場合舉行儀式時使用。斧形佩始於戰國，盛於西漢，清乾隆之時，尚古之風盛行，乾隆倡導玉器復古、仿古的風尚，這一時期出現了大量仿古玉器。此斧選料上乘，青白玉製成，色澤溫潤，局部帶有沁色，油性極佳。斧首爲「龍紋」，圓眼闊鼻，張牙裂嘴，龍角貼於腦後，麟甲分明，肅穆威嚴，凌厲神祕。斧柄爲紅木製成，木色紅潤，包漿肥厚。因「斧」與「福」諧音，故斧有祈福之意，而斧刃銳利，無堅不摧，又有明辨是非，當機立斷之意，提醒君王明察善惡，不要優柔寡斷。（參閱故宮博物院藏品大系9 第118 頁）