2/3/2024 0 Comments Kings battle axeBut it is hard to say how effective that strategy was. It is believed the human face on the Shang Dynasty battle-axe was intended to scare the enemy. Guo Moruo (1892-1978), Chinese author, poet, historian, archaeologist and an expert on ancient writing, believed that Ya Chou was the title of an ancient nation that existed in the Xia Dynasty (21st century-16th century BC) or even earlier. The inscription is also the reason the battle-axe is called "Ya Chou". These two bronze battle-axes are the only ones found in China with an openwork carving of a human face.Īnother key difference between the two is that there are four symmetrical pictographic inscriptions of "Ya Chou" carved under the two ears on both sides of the Ya Chou battle-axe, while there is none on the other one. Now kept at the National Museum of China, this battle-axe also has a human face like the Ya Chou, except the eyes and nose are shaped differently and the mouth is even bigger. This also explains why the Chinese character for "king" found on bone inscriptions resembles the shape of the battle-axe.Īnother bronze battle-axe was also excavated at the same time from the No 1 Subutun Shang Tomb, the largest and best Shang tomb after the Tomb of Shang Kings in Anyang, Henan province. "This style is consistent with other bronze wares of the Shang Dynasty, that are both majestic and scary," says Lu Wensheng, head of Shandong Museum.Īs one of the 18 weapons of ancient times and commonly used by the king, the battle-axe stood for power and justice. Take the Ya Chou bronze battle-axe, for example.Įxcavated in 1965 from the No 1 Subutun Shang Tomb in Qingzhou, Shandong province, and now kept in Shandong Museum, this bronze battle-axe of the Shang Dynasty (16th century-11th century BC), is 32.7 cm long and 34.5 cm wide, and features a human face with exaggerated features such as bow-shaped eyebrows, round eyes, elliptical ears, a bull-shaped nose, and a wide-open mouth full of sharp teeth. The on-going exhibition, The Art of Chinese Bronze Wares, at the National Museum of China, offers not just a peek into ancient Chinese civilization, but also a rare look at the sense of humor of its ancient creators. The Ya Chou bronze battle-axe at Shandong Museum. Kong’s Battle Axe situates nicely within its Hollow Earth Stalagmite-themed base.EDITOR's Note: Every week we look at a work of art or a cultural relic that puts the spotlight on China's heritage. Not only that, but we’ve also imbued the Atomic Dorsal Plate with LED Illumination to recreate the Battle Axe in its charged-up mode! The talented painters have rendered each material in the Battle Axe differently, with multiple layers of paint and weathering to create a realistic-as-possible replica. The skillful sculptors at Prime 1 Studio have replicated Kong’s iconic weapon exactly as it appeared in the movie. Reaching an impressive 36-inches tall, Kong’s Battle Axe was meant to fit in the palms of your hands! Made by Kong’s Hollow Earth civilization-building ancestors, this ancient Battle Axe was formed from the indestructible long bone of a Titan, strips of ancient reptile hide, and most importantly, an Atomic Dorsal Plate from one of Godzilla’s terrifying ancestors! Prime 1 Studio is extremely excited to announce an amazing replica from the world of Godzilla vs Kong: Kong’s BATTLE AXE!
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