East Asia, China, Warring States Period, ca. 475 to 221 BCE. A fabulous example of a short sword known as a duan jian that exhibits a classic form, all formed from bronze via the lost wax (cire perdue) technique. The attractive armament features a double-edged blade with sharpened peripheries, a raised, prominent midrib running the length of both faces, and a pointed tip, all beneath a trapezoidal hand guard with a central crest. The tubular handle bears a pair of ringlets which facilitated the grip of the warrior who wielded it, and a slightly flared discoid pommel ensured that his hand would not accidentally slip off during the heat of battle. Covered in mottled layers of russet, brown, and green patina, this is a lovely weapon from ancient China! Size: 21.9" L x 1.875" W (55.6 cm x 4.8 cm)

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1992.298.2

Provenance: private New York, USA collection, purchased ca. 2000 from an old US family collection, assembled in the 1970's-1990's

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#168429

Nearly imperceptible bending to overall form of blade, with light encrustations and nicks to handle, ringlets, pommel, and blade, otherwise intact and excellent. Nice earthen deposits and beautiful patina throughout.