Chinese daggers - more colourful as christmas trees

Gonzoadler · 8th December 2020, 08:54 PM

Hello,

I want to share these very colourful silver daggers, jeweled with corals, turqouise, jade and malachites. In my opinion they were made in the late 19th. century. They are quite similar, but one is more ornate and enamelled.
This one is decorated with boars and monks made of jade. The jade of the other dagger shows abstract motifs.

I learned a lot about some other pieces here and now I have another question to the forum:
I saw other similar daggers at auctions.
For what purpose these daggers where made?
Are they official presents? An expensive decoration?
Maybe lucky charms?
Or officially worn weapons for important persons? (I don't believe that)
Who knows more than me?

Best
Robin

Gonzoadler · 8th December 2020, 08:56 PM

More pictures...

Gonzoadler · 8th December 2020, 08:59 PM

More more

mahratt · 9th December 2020, 05:39 AM

These are souvenirs made in the 20th century.

mariusgmioc · 9th December 2020, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mahratt

These are souvenirs made in the 20th century.

Exactly!

Souvenirs for tourists. Some of them are even marked with the famous "MADE IN CHINA" logo.

Gonzoadler · 9th December 2020, 09:02 AM

Thanks for the first answers.
I don´t think that these daggers are modern souvenirs, but of course it is possible that they are old ones. Most auction houses date them around 1900. Also they are really rare, completely handmade, well made and not cheap:

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item...se-mounted-dag

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item...ger-with-stand

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item...jeweled-dagger

Not one of them is marked with "made in China". Also only precious materials were used. Actually the German auction house Thies sells a bigger similar piece:

(edited: links to live auctions is strictly forbidden on our forums)

Of course there are some modern souvenirs in the same style, but they are often only silver plated and the quality is not really comparable:

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item...oise-medallion

Of course my daggers are looking a little bit kitschy, but this is not uncommon for Chinese antiques. I hope it is OK that I linked some auctions.
Maybe more opinions regarding my two pieces?

Regards

8th December 2020, 08:54 PM	#1
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 244	Chinese daggers - more colourful as christmas trees Hello, I want to share these very colourful silver daggers, jeweled with corals, turqouise, jade and malachites. In my opinion they were made in the late 19th. century. They are quite similar, but one is more ornate and enamelled. This one is decorated with boars and monks made of jade. The jade of the other dagger shows abstract motifs. I learned a lot about some other pieces here and now I have another question to the forum: I saw other similar daggers at auctions. For what purpose these daggers where made? Are they official presents? An expensive decoration? Maybe lucky charms? Or officially worn weapons for important persons? (I don't believe that) Who knows more than me? Best Robin Attached Images

8th December 2020, 08:56 PM	#2
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 244	More pictures... Attached Images

8th December 2020, 08:59 PM	#3
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 244	More more Attached Images

9th December 2020, 09:02 AM	#6
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 244	Thanks for the first answers. I don´t think that these daggers are modern souvenirs, but of course it is possible that they are old ones. Most auction houses date them around 1900. Also they are really rare, completely handmade, well made and not cheap: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item...se-mounted-dag https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item...ger-with-stand https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item...jeweled-dagger Not one of them is marked with "made in China". Also only precious materials were used. Actually the German auction house Thies sells a bigger similar piece: (edited: links to live auctions is strictly forbidden on our forums) Of course there are some modern souvenirs in the same style, but they are often only silver plated and the quality is not really comparable: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item...oise-medallion Of course my daggers are looking a little bit kitschy, but this is not uncommon for Chinese antiques. I hope it is OK that I linked some auctions. Maybe more opinions regarding my two pieces? Regards Last edited by David; 9th December 2020 at 04:00 PM.

9th December 2020, 05:39 AM	#4
mahratt Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Russia Posts: 1,042	These are souvenirs made in the 20th century.