Ge appeared in the middle and late Neolithic period, the earliest is Shi Ge, Yu Ge originated in the Longshan culture period.
Shi'an Culture Yuge (Picture from Liu Yunhui's courseware)
Later, there was a copper ge, which was a common weapon used in actual combat, the large jade ge was a ceremonial weapon of royal power, and the Xia Dynasty yu ge and the early and middle Shang Dynasty yu ge were larger ceremonial weapons.
Yanshi Erlitou Culture Yuge (Picture from Liu Yunhui Teacher Courseware)
The late Shang Dynasty was the heyday of the development of Yu ge, and the Shang Dynasty produced the largest number of the most exquisite yu ge in Chinese history.
Shang Dynasty Yuge (Picture from Liu Yunhui's courseware)
Western Zhou inherited the Shang Dynasty's Yuge tradition and developed and innovated in shape, and also produced a lot of Yuge, while continuing the tradition of small Yuge since Yin Ruins and producing some small jade ge with artistic characteristics.
Western Zhou Yuge (Picture from Liu Yunhui's courseware)
The jade utensils buried in the tombs of the Spring and Autumn princes are mostly used as early heirlooms. At present, very few Warring States Jade Ge have been found.
Jade Ge excavated from Qinjing Cemetery (Picture from Liu Yunhui's courseware)
Only a few pieces of jade ge have been found in the tombs of the princes of the Han Dynasty, but they are all fine. After the Han Dynasty, it was almost no longer making yu ge, and yu ge withdrew from the stage of Chinese jade carving.
Xuzhou Lion Mountain unearthed Han Dynasty Yuge (picture from Liu Yunhui teacher courseware)