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Fabulous Chinese Eastern Zhou Dynasty, Ca. ca. 475 to 221 BCE. One of the finest examples we have had in the last 5 years! A handsome example of medium-length sword known as a duan jian that is mold-cast from bronze via the lost wax (cire perdue) technique. The stocky blade 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 rod-form handle bears a pair of thick and close-set ringlets that facilitated a stronger grip for the warrior, and a discoid pommel on top ensures that their hand did not accidentally slip while wielding the weapon. This is identified as Zhou Dynasty by the tapered last 4 inches of the blade. While deadly and functional, finely made bronze weapons such as this sword were often signs of prestige, and used as ceremonial and funerary weapons. Comes in presentation case. Size: 26.25"" L x 1.75"" W (66.7 cm x 4.4 cm)"

XRF testing of this sword shows it to clearly be bronze with a metal content of 62% copper, 30% tin and 6.5% lead - all consistent with weapons of this period.

Provenance: private Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA collection; ex-Minerva Gallery; ex-Benjamin Vega, California, USA, acquired in 2006 to 2007; ex-Gene and Virginia George, brought to the USA from 1961 to 1966

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

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#181390

Intact and near-choice with areas of deep green oxidation/ patina.