Small Chinese dao

[Philip]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Martin,

OTOH, the width of the blade is much wider in the basal half while the distal half is considerably narrower - unless this was done to repair an edge damage, I am at a loss for any other reason for this shape...

Regards,
Kai

The blade profile is correct for a Qing era short saber. They don't all widen towards the tip, regardless of length.

[kai]

Hello Philip,

The blade profile is correct for a Qing era short saber. They don't all widen towards the tip, regardless of length.

I wasn't looking for a wider tip (much less anything like a niuweidao) here.

However, in the middle of the blade (red arrow) I believe seeing a sudden decrease in width to about 90% of the basal half of the blade. Do you think this really is intentional?

Regards,
Kai

[Martin Lubojacky]

Thank you all for interesting information!
Kai, the blade is not tapered, it is an optical illusion caused by flash photography. I am attaching a new photo without flash.
Best,
Martin

[kai]

Thanks, Martin, that looks much better: Nice gradual taper!

It's not an optical illusion since it can be measured from the pic - must be an interesting software glitch.

Regards,
Kai

[werecow]

Originally Posted by Philip

This is not one of them. The specific pattern you are thinking of is a mid-18th cent. regulation style described and illustrated in the series of books on regulation equipment compiled by the Qianlong emperor ca 1759.

What we see here is probably a civilian weapon, and dating from the mid-19th cent. to ca. 1900. It's seen its share of wear and tear, but an honest old piece that retains its original configuration, some repairs but nothing missing, and it doesn't look like it's been monkeyed with.

The touristic pieces discussed elsewhere have other stylistic characteristics so are not to be confused with this piece.

Out of curiosity, is this the touristy version you're referring to?