- Joined
- Mar 26, 2002
- Messages
- 1,861
About 20" long. "Warring States" Period, about 475 BC.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Old Chinese Sword for Comments
- Thread starter Bill Marsh
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2002
- Messages
- 1,861
Nasty said:
Some Brasso and steel wool..... <cringe>! Glad that you like it.
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,207
A sword that was nearly 2000 years old when Columbus sailed west. Amazing!
- Joined
- Feb 23, 1999
- Messages
- 4,857
Bill,
How do you determine authenticity? I do not question your judgment. I think you probably have a lot to teach us on that subject.
Although China has many ancient items above and still belowground, they also have a thriving industry in fake antiquities for foreign devils. There are restrictions on the real antiquities from leaving the country. Last time I left Beijing my checked luggage was searched at the airport. I had an old iron wok in there that my parents-in-law used through the cultural revolution. It was black and crusty. When the inspector drew aside some clothes and saw the aged iron he demanded "What's this?" I was tempted to tell him it was a Mao Dynasty wok but fortunately I was able to hold my tongue. He soon determined it was not a cultural relic and allowed me to continue with checking my luggage.
On the other hand, I think fake antiquities pass quite easily out of the country. Some of the stuff being sold on Ebay from China is quite humorous. Like Lao Zi's inkstone, only $5.
How do you determine authenticity? I do not question your judgment. I think you probably have a lot to teach us on that subject.
Although China has many ancient items above and still belowground, they also have a thriving industry in fake antiquities for foreign devils. There are restrictions on the real antiquities from leaving the country. Last time I left Beijing my checked luggage was searched at the airport. I had an old iron wok in there that my parents-in-law used through the cultural revolution. It was black and crusty. When the inspector drew aside some clothes and saw the aged iron he demanded "What's this?" I was tempted to tell him it was a Mao Dynasty wok but fortunately I was able to hold my tongue. He soon determined it was not a cultural relic and allowed me to continue with checking my luggage.
On the other hand, I think fake antiquities pass quite easily out of the country. Some of the stuff being sold on Ebay from China is quite humorous. Like Lao Zi's inkstone, only $5.
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2001
- Messages
- 20,978
wow....what I wouldn't give to be able to see that one up close in person....man....
what can you tell us about the construction & materials?
what can you tell us about the construction & materials?
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2002
- Messages
- 1,861
Howard Wallace said:
Sure Howard, You are absolutely correct about Chinese fakes. I bought this on provenance of and from from Anthony Allen who wrote a major reference book on Authentication of Ancient Chinese Bronze. Otherwise I would have thought it just another good fake.
http://www.allensantiques.com/books.htm
- Joined
- Feb 23, 1999
- Messages
- 4,857
Allen's book blurb seems to indicate he knows what he's talking about. Many times in China I've been tempted to ask, "Can I get one (whatever) of this same quality that hasn't been burried in a dung heap?"
This piece is what I would consider to be a white glove specimen.
