Antique Jade Sword

[Iain]

I'd be interested to see the blade. It's not impossible that genuine antiques do come out of China. I had a number of years ago a very rusty composite jian with similar certificate. As I didn't have the time to restore it I passed it along to another collector who had it assessed by two experts and it turned out to be possibly not even Chinese but likely 17th century.

So strange things can happen. Unfortunately with this one I'm somewhat doubtful, it looks very clean.

[ALEX]

Welcome to the Forum, Cmario88.
I resonate the above concerns. There are no visible signs of wear and tear, which is usually associated with old swords, even if they were ceremonial like yours. Posting the close-up of the blade will help. In addition, that appraisal is very vague. It states that the jade, corals, stones and silver are old, which is totally meaningless, as it refers to raw material:-) The work, however, is in question, it looks too fresh. Also, do you know that the date of this paper is authentic, i.e. 1976? When it comes to Chinese "Certificate of Antiquity" - even the paper can be new:-)

[Gavin Nugent]

Welcome cmario88.

I to agree to this not being older than 1970.
My opinion looking at the images is that it is copper formed that is plated in low quality gold and silver, look close to the suspension fittings and it shows to my eye the gold incorrectly going over the silver...almost like it was dipped.

My 2 cents.

Gavin

[Nathaniel]

Hmmm.....One of the Chinese language sword forums I know of has a section devoted towards "newer" Chinese antiquities....

[cmario88]

Thank you for the quick response and warm welcome everyone. Please, I would like to know if I am replying correctly. Do I "Reply to Thread" or reply with "Quote"?

Kronchkew: The sword has never been cleaned since it's been in my possession, I also know the original buyer and they also said they never cleaned it. Sword has been stored wrapped in cloth and in dry, dark storage. Concerning the blade, give me a little time and I will take photos of it. Can’t really comment on export rules because I really don’t know but I can say the sword was bought when Hong Kong was under British rule, how it got into the dealers hands is anyone’s guess.

Ispn: I’ll be taking photos of the blade shortly. No restoration work has been done.

Alex: I know the original buyer and the date is definitely from that time.

Freebooter: I will look closer at the suspension fittings and see if they have been dipped and also take close up photos for your viewing.

Nathaniel: I don’t know if it is allowed on this forum but would like to know more about this “Chinese language sword forum” do you have a link or address I can follow?

Again thank you for the response so far and will get back with more photos shortly. I will also give you what I’ve been told by another forum and appraiser next time.

[yuanzhumin]

The certificate is exactly saying what it is :
‘This sword is … from the xxxx dynasty and dating from xxxx’’
There is no dynasty and no datation mentioned.
Only it is said it is older than 100 years old. But here is the trick, and the certificate is exactly explaining what it means :
“ the jade coral and turquoise are over 100 years older ‘’
Nobody will dare doubt that stones are older than 100 years old. Perfectly true.
Well, authentic certificate. The thing is what to understand when reading it.
Yes, this is an authentic ‘antique’ sword, ‘antique’ to be understood as ‘old”. This sword was certainly old when it was sold (may be few years or few months old in the 1970s). It is now even older, a quarter of century after ! There is no patina, no sign of use and the artwork is quite crude, but I can now certify that this sword is from the last century !

[asomotif]

Still, a picture of the blade would be interesting to see

[cmario88]

Here are the photos of blade and suspensions as requested. I'm no pro but blade looks pretty bad, any tips on caring or restoring would appreciated.