East Asia, China, Warring States to early Han Dynasty, ca. 500 BCE to 0 CE. An impressive sword, cast in a single piece, with a long, straight blade with a shallow, triangular ridge down its center. It has a shallow, diamond-shaped guard with the incised face of a mythological creature on either side of the guard. This area was probably once inlaid with precious metal or jewels. Atop the guard, cast as one piece, is a thin handle with two rings that would have had leather or some other perishable material wrapped around them to form a grip, and a broad, round pommel, convex to inset a jewel or some other decorative element (we know of examples with turquoise set into the pommel). This type of sword is called a jian, a double-edged straight sword that has been used in China for 2500 years. Han Dynasty examples are extremely rare. Size: 2" W x 23" H (5.1 cm x 58.4 cm)

The late Warring States to Han Dynasty period saw a transition in military styles, from bronze weaponry and chariot-based fighting to iron and cavalry. However, the old period was still revered. Finely made bronze weapons such as this one were signs of prestige, used in ceremonial and funerary weapons. For example, swords were worn by the Emperor and his officials in ceremonial or official dress, attached to the belt with jade ornaments.

Provenance: private J. Connell collection, Massachusetts, USA; ex estate of John Piscopo. Mr. Piscopo was one of the largest collectors of ancient weapons in the USA with a collection that spanned all cultures, all ages; ex Anthony Allen collection

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#127394

Beautiful blue-ish turquoise patina on surface with some evidence that it laid in a tomb against a textile that impressed itself into the metal over time. The edges of the blade have minor losses.