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|  22nd January 2007, 01:27 PM | #1 | 
| Member Join Date: Feb 2006 
					Posts: 31
				 |  What exactly is this? 
			
			Does anybody ever see this thing in museum or book ?     | 
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|  22nd January 2007, 04:34 PM | #2 | 
| Member Join Date: Jan 2007 
					Posts: 181
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			Never seen one before, but it looks like a dagger hilt, and for some reason my hindbrain said "Aztec?" as the source of inspiration.  I presume it's gold? Fenris | 
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|  22nd January 2007, 05:17 PM | #3 | 
| Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK 
					Posts: 5,921
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			They could be interlaced dragons, warring states 5th century B.C, China? Gold ceremonial sword hilt?
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|  22nd January 2007, 08:58 PM | #4 | 
| Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent 
					Posts: 2,658
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			Hi Shangrila, I must admit my first reaction is Aztec/Mayan styled, the snake was worshipped in their mythology.....and I can see scales. As Tim has said...or dragons  Is it yours? Could you post a close-up of the 'hilt' ? | 
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|  22nd January 2007, 11:04 PM | #5 | 
| EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY 
					Posts: 7,342
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			Yes I have seen this before, it is an ancient golden Chinese dagger/sword hilt. Tim got it on the first try (Good on you mate!)   | 
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|  23rd January 2007, 03:44 AM | #6 | 
| Member Join Date: Feb 2006 
					Posts: 31
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			It's supposed to be a hilt coming from Eastern Zhou dynasty, 6th-5th century BC.    Now it's maybe in NY Museum, one guy says. | 
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