An exceedingly rare set with fine mother of pearl inlaid string board
This item has been sold.
Overall length
Sheathed 64.5 cm
Sword 58.8 cm
Blade length
45.6 cm
Blade thickness
Base 6 mm
Middle 4 mm
5 cm from tip 3 mm
Blade width
Base 25 mm
Middle 23 mm
5 cm from tip 19 mm
Weight
340 grams
Point of balance
9 cm from hilt
Materials
Iron, steel, buffalo horn, wood, cotton cord
Origin
Vietnam
Dating
19th century
Sold
Description
A short Vietnamese kiếm (劍) sword, modeled closely after the Chinese duǎn jiàn (短劍) of the Ming period. It features a well-made double-edged blade with dual grooves on each side and a rounded tip.
The hilt is carved from a single piece of black buffalo horn. Guard and pommel in Ming style with scrolling elements. The grip is ribbed and carved with highly stylized longevity symbols, shòu (壽).
The scabbard is made of two plates of wood, kept together with cord.
The sword has a lively feeling in the hand and has proper weight and balance, it was, besides a status symbol, also a practical user.
Currently available:
Collected by a Russian prince from the hill peoples of central Vietnam in 1892.
€1800,-
An understated, elegant khukuri of substantial proportions with fine layered blade.
€2200,-
With iron, silver overlaid hilt. Its associated scabbard features fine quillwork.
€1800,-