East Asia, China, Warring States Period, ca. 475 to 221 BCE. A beautiful example of a short sword known as a duan jian that is mold-cast from bronze via the lost wax (cire perdue) technique. The slightly corseted blade form is of a double-edged style with a prominent midrib running along its length until the pointed tip, and above the shoulder is a crested, trapezoidal hand guard. The tubular handle bears a pair of thick ringlets that enabled the warrior to confidently grasp the weapon when swinging it, and the discoid pommel prohibited his hand from slipping off mid-swing. The weapon is enveloped in fine layers of mottled green, brown, and russet patina to imbue it with a sophisticated presentation. Size: 22" L x 1.88" W (55.9 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 to 1990's

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#168430

Very slight bending to overall form of blade, with light encrustations, and nicks to blade edges, handle, and midrib, otherwise intact and excellent. Wonderful patina throughout.