A very good and complete Jian, Chinese broadsword.
This example measures 97cms long in its scabbard, 94.5cms long out and has a blade length of 69cms to the edge of the guard, or 75cms to the edge of the tang.
The hilt is of classic form with a cloud like guard and pommel, a design seen on many late 19th and early 20th century Jian. Its grip is a fine but simple ray skin over timber with plated bronze guard which measures 10cms across and large tri-lobed pommel.
Something of a rarity is the swords original red tassel and endless knot. These accruements are typically lost or in such poor condition, they are hardly recognisable as a tassel.
The blade has a block forte from which central ridge runs through to the tip. Its edges are sharp and the blade supple yet strong. The forte is etched with foliage as seen in the photos provided, foliage which appears to be a bamboo forest.
The scabbard is a heavy timber lacquered black in colour. Encasing the timber are five silvered bronze fittings with the central three being large raised ovals, two of which act as suspension points with additional loops, whilst the simple end fittings are pierced in a form that appears as a butterfly.
A sword type that is becoming increasingly hard to find in such condition.
A very fine and well balanced sword.
