dao sword , Qing period , willow leaf ?...

mariusgmioc · 1st March 2019, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francantolin

Hello,
Thanks a lot Kronckew,

I have real lacquer ( gomme laque- kerria lacca )but it's yellow-translucent,
do you know which pigments I can use for tint it in black (dark brown...)?

The fullers on the blade with Indo persian influence are interesting, don't really know if they are old or quite recent,

A production of eastern china ( Xinjiang area...), close with tibet,india, tadjikistan ?

or just the copy/fantasy of a craftsman/ carver from Beijing ?...
China is so big !...

Regarding the fullers, it is exactly them that make me have some doubts about the age of the sword.

Regarding restauration of the scabbard, I would definitely not do it. Applying new lacquer, no matter how good match to the original, will be very visible.
Besides, the scabbard is in overall good condition, consistent with age and wear an definitiely wouldn't like one that looks new.
But it is your sword and your call!

kronckew · 1st March 2019, 05:48 PM

Here's one found online: 19c Qing dynasty officer's dao. I think someone told me once yellow grip bindings were used for Imperial Guards. Green, for other Iperial troops.

kronckew · 1st March 2019, 06:04 PM

My Qing Dynasty razor. This is a more brutal beast for a lower level warrior.

Peter Dekker · 2nd March 2019, 11:04 AM

Hi guys,

Nice piece! Yours is a standard pattern Qing military officer's saber of the mid 19th century, probably of northern origin, possibly Beijing. The greenish grip wrap was once a deep indigo blue.

While they superficially all tend to look the same, these come in a rather wide variety of qualities. I'd say your blade is among the better ones, with very precisely cut grooves. The work on the mounts is more standard quality for this type.

Officers got fixed payments in silver to purchase their equipment, and so focussed on what they found important. In your case, he put extra care in the blade.

These Islamic style grooves probably made their way into China already during times of Mongol rule and were produced throughout the empire by the 18th century. See: https://www.metmuseum.org/pubs/journ...f.bannered.pdf

I've had several over the years. The pictures posted above by Kronckew are from my site. Here's the full article:
http://mandarinmansion.com/chinese-officer-saber

Another one, with rare blade:
http://mandarinmansion.com/chinese-s...se-tooth-blade

An exceptional one:
http://mandarinmansion.com/rare-chin...ist-core-saber

And finally, an example of the plain type that the regular soldiers would be carrying:
http://mandarinmansion.com/19th-cent...military-saber

As for restoring, I'm not sure where you are located but if I were you I'd send it over to Philip Tom for a good fix.

I hope this helps!

1st March 2019, 05:48 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	Here's one found online: 19c Qing dynasty officer's dao. I think someone told me once yellow grip bindings were used for Imperial Guards. Green, for other Iperial troops. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 1st March 2019 at 06:07 PM.

1st March 2019, 06:04 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	My Qing Dynasty razor. This is a more brutal beast for a lower level warrior. Attached Images

2nd March 2019, 11:04 AM	#4
Peter Dekker Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kingdom of the Netherlands Posts: 63	Hi guys, Nice piece! Yours is a standard pattern Qing military officer's saber of the mid 19th century, probably of northern origin, possibly Beijing. The greenish grip wrap was once a deep indigo blue. While they superficially all tend to look the same, these come in a rather wide variety of qualities. I'd say your blade is among the better ones, with very precisely cut grooves. The work on the mounts is more standard quality for this type. Officers got fixed payments in silver to purchase their equipment, and so focussed on what they found important. In your case, he put extra care in the blade. These Islamic style grooves probably made their way into China already during times of Mongol rule and were produced throughout the empire by the 18th century. See: https://www.metmuseum.org/pubs/journ...f.bannered.pdf I've had several over the years. The pictures posted above by Kronckew are from my site. Here's the full article: http://mandarinmansion.com/chinese-officer-saber Another one, with rare blade: http://mandarinmansion.com/chinese-s...se-tooth-blade An exceptional one: http://mandarinmansion.com/rare-chin...ist-core-saber And finally, an example of the plain type that the regular soldiers would be carrying: http://mandarinmansion.com/19th-cent...military-saber As for restoring, I'm not sure where you are located but if I were you I'd send it over to Philip Tom for a good fix. I hope this helps!