Chinese lòukōng sword guard
This example has a beaded outer rim and a smooth inside rim, with in-between alternating stylized lotus petals. Such lotus petal borders are also seen on the base of Buddhist statues, where the lotus symbolizes the path towards enlightenment:
Qing openwork saber guard
A fine sword guard dating from the height of the Qing dynasty. It were fine Chinese dāo hùshǒu like this example that became the prototypes for an entire genre of Japanese tsuba with strong Chinese influence. It's nice to find a 100% Chinese example from time to time, like this one.
Chinese hùshǒu with lantsa script
A Chinese sword guard from the 18th century with a Buddhist mantra in lantsa script.
Malachite Manchu archer's ring
Such rings were worn by Qing dynasty "bannermen" as a sign of their status as a conquest elite.
Tongzhi period ceremonial halberd
A bronze processional piece with reign marks attributing it to the year 1864.
Heavy Sino-Vietnamese dagger
With a very thick and heavy blade and nicely worked brass mounts.
A fine late Qing jian
A step above the norm in quality for this period, with nicely pierced mounts.
Cantonese saber
With brass mounts and ray skin covered scabbard.
Southern Chinese saber
Of typical southern form with a very slender, pointy blade.
Southern Chinese yǎnyuèdāo
A large and impressive blade, its pole cut-down.
An early form niúwěidāo
With good, layered blade, mounted in forged iron mounts.
A Qing strength bow
A very heavy Manchu bow used for strength training and military examinations.
A deconstructed Qing bow
For the bowyers, a set of parts of an authentic 19th century Qing bow.
Qing folding bow
A short-eared composite bow with an iron hinge in the handle so it folds upon itself.
Studded Eastern Tibetan dagger
Of Kham area regional style, with a grip studded with turquoises and corals.
Qing military rank badge
Depicting the golden cat, representing the 6th military rank.
Fine Chinese Shan dha
Entirely clad in silver and with a differentially heat treated blade.
Qing piandao polearm
Of a style that fell out of use with the fall of the Qing.
Late Qing jian
A typical example, complete with lacquered scabbard.
Late iron mounted jian
A rarer configuration, normally mounted with brass in this period. With a chrome-plated blade.
Ming militia dao
From the Ming-Qing transition period, with many typical Ming features.
Seven stars militia jian
A short, stout Chinese straightsword of a type used by village defenses across the empire.
Chinese Hui sword
A peculiar Chinese dadao with markings attributing it to a Hui army or battallion.
Sino-Vietnamese fighting knife
A Chinese style fighting knife probably made in Yunnan or Vietnam.
Chinese trousse in Mongolian style
With heavy pierced silver mounts in with archaic dragon designs.
"South China Sea Guard"
Most likely used by the multi-cultural crews of pirate fleets that roamed the South China seas.
Ming style spearhead
A heavy, well-made piece that was probably a military issue.
Qijiadao in Vince Evans mounts
The 17th-century blade is mounted in fittings designed by Philip Tom and executed by Vince Evans some 20 years ago.
1930's Republican dàdāo
Of the exact type seen in use by the famous 29th Route Army.
Ming jian with chiseled mounts
A very early, full-length type, rarely seen with chiseled iron mounts.
Rare Jinchuan quiver
With a connection to local royalty in Jinchuan, Sichuan province.
Qing archer's belt
Made of heavy silk with gilt copper alloy mounts.
Southern Chinese double knives
With carved hardwood grips. Complete with pigskin scabbard.
Chinese téngpái
The famous tiger faced rattan shield as used by Chinese skirmishers.
Tibetan style pierced saddle plate
With designs of four dragons in scrollwork around a "wish-granting-jewel"
17th century armored vest
An extremely rare sleeveless vest from the Ming-Qing transition period.
Fangshi officer's saber
With a good blade and a set of fittings that exceed the quality of most of this period.
Early yútóudāo
With influences from several cultures that are rarely seen on a single blade.
Chinese Shan presentation dha
Presented by the local Dai nobility to a British customs officer in 1936.
Early militia jian
An early Chinese militia jiàn most likely dating from the Ming.
Chinese forked mace
A forked mace with cast ornament in the middle of the cross guard.
Large Southern Chinese saber
Built around a beautifully forged blade, in full polish, revealing a burl grain pattern.
An antique chángdāo
Its large blade is of ridged cross-section, inspired by the Japanese design.
Early Chinese duǎndāo
With rare downward curving grip as seen on artwork of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Chinese bronze mace (tóngjiǎn)
With large dragon head collar piece.
Republican period fighting jian
A very nice and complete example, circa 1920's-30's.
A rare Qing bow
With translucent horn bellies glued on red pigment.
A rare Jinchuan sword
A royal sword, probably from the Wasi kingdom in present-day Sichuan province.
A Chinese bow by Changxing
Rare extant work of a famous workshop in Chengdu.