In the dynasty's early years, officials attending court were accompanied by a ceremonial "pillar axe." It was …
In the dynasty's early years, officials attending court were accompanied by a ceremonial "pillar axe." It was a small crystal axe carried in front of the sedan chair.
The practice was not abolished until the Xuanzheng era. Today, people no longer recognize the object, and few have even heard its name. Some portraits from that earlier period still depict figures holding the pillar axe.