A very rare ceremonial variety with copper scabbard inlaid with different alloys, and a brass blade.
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
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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.
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