Ming late dynasty Chinese Dao (Saber)

Anthony G. · 13th September 2022, 12:09 PM

Lee · 13th September 2022, 02:01 PM

Following Peter Dekker's article this looks most like a "goose quill saber" with a simplified "goose wing" termination. Hopefully Peter and Phillip will weigh in.

Jim McDougall · 13th September 2022, 08:27 PM

Seems unusual to see tunkou on one of these, but clearly this is a hybrid as so often the case with these forms. While I am anxious to see the input from Philip and Peter, I wanted to add my own similar example for perspective.

JBG163 · 13th September 2022, 10:28 PM

Hi Antony and others,
I think i know that one...
Honestly, it looks like a Yanchidao (goose wing) saber.
Potentially, fittings are a bit later from blade. Some excavated swords from that type avec been attributed to 14th (Yuan period).
I have discussed that one with Peter and Philip some months or year ago. It could be from late ming/early qing dynasty. At the same period, i had also contacted a chinese author and sword collector that assessed late ming/qing. Still, it could also be a bit later. It's always difficult to know. I think that saying 18th would be a reasonnable guess ?

Anthony G. · 14th September 2022, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBG163

Hi Antony and others,
I think i know that one...
Honestly, it looks like a Yanchidao (goose wing) saber.
Potentially, fittings are a bit later from blade. Some excavated swords from that type avec been attributed to 14th (Yuan period).
I have discussed that one with Peter and Philip some months or year ago. It could be from late ming/early qing dynasty. At the same period, i had also contacted a chinese author and sword collector that assessed late ming/qing. Still, it could also be a bit later. It's always difficult to know. I think that saying 18th would be a reasonnable guess ?

Could be and also I was told that iron fitting is usually earlier than 19th/20th century. This is one of my favorite. Enjoy the photo.

Philip · 20th September 2022, 06:54 AM

Blade shape is usually called fengchidao (phoenix wing saber). The type does indeed date back to the Ming if not earlier, as indicated by depiction in art of the era, and a few surviving specimens. The fittings on this one look like later replacements, Qing for sure, judging from their style, probably around the 18th cent.

13th September 2022, 12:09 PM	#1
Anthony G. Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 463	Ming late dynasty Chinese Dao (Saber) Ming late dynasty Chinese Dao (Saber) Attached Images

13th September 2022, 08:27 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,948	Seems unusual to see tunkou on one of these, but clearly this is a hybrid as so often the case with these forms. While I am anxious to see the input from Philip and Peter, I wanted to add my own similar example for perspective. Attached Images

13th September 2022, 02:01 PM	#2
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 914	Following Peter Dekker's article this looks most like a "goose quill saber" with a simplified "goose wing" termination. Hopefully Peter and Phillip will weigh in.

13th September 2022, 10:28 PM	#4
JBG163 Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: France Posts: 207	Hi Antony and others, I think i know that one... Honestly, it looks like a Yanchidao (goose wing) saber. Potentially, fittings are a bit later from blade. Some excavated swords from that type avec been attributed to 14th (Yuan period). I have discussed that one with Peter and Philip some months or year ago. It could be from late ming/early qing dynasty. At the same period, i had also contacted a chinese author and sword collector that assessed late ming/qing. Still, it could also be a bit later. It's always difficult to know. I think that saying 18th would be a reasonnable guess ?

20th September 2022, 06:54 AM	#6
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	Blade shape is usually called fengchidao (phoenix wing saber). The type does indeed date back to the Ming if not earlier, as indicated by depiction in art of the era, and a few surviving specimens. The fittings on this one look like later replacements, Qing for sure, judging from their style, probably around the 18th cent.