A rare set of long fighting swords with rare grips and guards.
This fine set of Hudiedao with luxuriously carved grips and fluted guards remains in exceptional and original condition throughout.
In their sheath, this pair measure approx 60 long. Out they are 59cms long, with blade lengths of 49cms.
The large carved grips are a fine timber, most likely Rosewood when considering the colours and grain, with each grip showing different mythical beasts. The right grip shows the Phoenix or perhaps the cock and the left shows the dragon. It is interesting to note that in the Bagua, the dragon is north east on the compass whilst the cock is south west which could make for a perfect balance in these grips and the swords applications if the grip is considered to be a cock. Each carved grip face is then enclosed in key relief borders, with the flat backs remaining plain.
The grips are set in plain bronze collars and sit firmly between the fluted bronze guards whose single quillons end in an outwards curving lobed finials.
The blades are 1cm thick at the base. The strong spine tapers through to a long filed back edge and from the spine, the blades taper is a broad wedge to the cutting edge.
The swords or long fighting knives are housed in their original leather sheath with decorated reinforced ends.
A very rare find in such condition, these are as found, untouched, extremely well preserved with a complete and intact leather sheath with decorative highlights, circa 1860-1890.
