SWORD WITH GUARD
SWORD WITH GUARD
Archaic and antique jades - Exhibition 2007
Code: KRM07-057
Iron, wood and jade
China
Western Han period (206 BC - 9 AD)
Length of the sword 23.3 cm, width of the jade 3.1 cm
Please click on the image to enlarge it
This very interesting object shows the fittings for iron swords in the late Eastern Zhou and Han period. Moreover, it impressively documents the durability of jade. After thousands of years this is still intact and gleaming, in contrast to the condition of the iron and wood.
The jade sword guard is an extremely fine piece of workmanship in a three-dimensional style and is characteristic of the decoration in this period. The front is adorned with a chilong dragon and a feng; the reverse is decorated with a geometric pattern. The piece is a great rarity!
From a Viennese collection
