Ca. 475-221 BC.A bronze dagger with a leaf-shaped, lentoid-section blade. The guard comprises an openwork figure-of-eight motif, connecting a rectangular handle; a figure-of-eight motif makes up the pommel as well. These features, which are covered in scale-like details, may be intended to recall the nostrils or wings of a dragon. The handle is covered with intricate incised motifs. The Warring States Period was an era of Chinese history characterised by the extensive and ongoing conflict between a multitude of statelets and kingdoms which ultimately culminated in the Qin state's victory and the first unification of China into a single empire. This item comes with a custom-made display stand.Size: L:330mm / W:45mm ; 325gProvenance: Private UK collection; From an old London collection formed in the 1990s.