Opinions on the Chinese Dao

Philip · 18th January 2023, 05:10 AM

This piece is a bit of a mishmosh.
1. The best thing about it is the blade, despite its rough condition. It is easily 18th cent. in style, and the apparent quality is commensurate.
2. Wood grip is new, and the pommel doesn't match the hilt. The rule of thumb on Chinese hilts is that the cross section of the ferrule matches that of the pommel -- oval to oval, angular and angular.
3. It's already pointed out that the scabbard wood looks replaced.

4. Regarding the scabbard furniture, the suspension bar looks like a clumsy replacement. Maybe working-life or perhaps later.
The most interesting components are the throat and chape. The style is associated with western China, specifically Xinjiang (formerly called East Turkestan in historical geographical literature). Rectangular cross-section, they are broad sleeves edged by raised grooved bands.

This is a fascinating study piece.

18th January 2023, 05:10 AM	#9
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	An interesting composite This piece is a bit of a mishmosh. 1. The best thing about it is the blade, despite its rough condition. It is easily 18th cent. in style, and the apparent quality is commensurate. 2. Wood grip is new, and the pommel doesn't match the hilt. The rule of thumb on Chinese hilts is that the cross section of the ferrule matches that of the pommel -- oval to oval, angular and angular. 3. It's already pointed out that the scabbard wood looks replaced. 4. Regarding the scabbard furniture, the suspension bar looks like a clumsy replacement. Maybe working-life or perhaps later. The most interesting components are the throat and chape. The style is associated with western China, specifically Xinjiang (formerly called East Turkestan in historical geographical literature). Rectangular cross-section, they are broad sleeves edged by raised grooved bands. This is a fascinating study piece.