Object Title

Sword (jian) and scabbard

Sword (jian) and scabbard

Date

Qing dynasty, 19th century

Object Number

XXVIS.188

Provenance

Purchased at auction, Sotheby's 16 December 1980, lot 343. From the Major A D F White collection.

Physical Description

Auspicious emblems provide a strong decorative theme on this sword (jian) and scabbard. The hilt (including pommel, grip and flared guard) and scabbard mounts are made out of copper alloy and ornamented with inlays of a darker alloy; the hilt motifs include bats, butterflies, flowers and stylised longevity symbols, and the scabbard mounts include depictions of precious jewels and a rhinoceros horn as charms to invoke the good fortune associated with the ‘Eight Treasures’.

The blade is straight and double edged, Each side is inlaid with the seven-star constellation in gold and copper; in addition to the stars there is a dragon inlaid in copper in one side with an inscription which has previously been read as 'longchuan huan jian' ('dragon spring washed sword'), and a phoenix in gold on the other with an inscription which has been interpreted as 'Muzi hao' ('called Muzi').

The scabbard is of wood, with copper alloy throat, chape and suspension mounts.

Dimensions

BladeLength530 mm
ScabbardLength565 mm
ScabbardWeight250 g
SwordLength698 mm
SwordWeight746 g

Inscriptions and Marks

inscriptions
There is a dragon inlaid in copper in one side with an inscription which has previously been read as 'longchuan huan jian' ('dragon spring washed sword'), and a phoenix in gold on the other with an inscription which has been interpreted as 'Muzi hao' ('called Muzi').

Associations

Places China/Asia

Bibliographic References

Chinese Arms and Armour

Information

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