Something A Bit different

Stephen F

Stephen F

Joined
Sep 28, 2003
Messages
1,235
Hi,

Being posted over here in China means alot of things, amongst which is the fact that my knife collection and new acquisitions are in storeage 6000 miles away, and also I cannot get any decent studio equipment for my photography.

However, last week I picked up a "genuine antique short sword" from a farmer in Xian, and today I tried my first ever knife photography using an old camera and a table by the window.

The sword is supposedly +500yrs, with jade and copper inlays - the farmer had just sanded the rust off.

Anyway - please have a look - I wish it could be some of my new bowies, but I have not even seen them yet. And any suggestions on the photos would be most welcome.


Stephen



Chinese Short Sword & Jade Seals
 
I'm no expert on ancient Chinese swords, or jade for that matter, but the photos look great!

Cheers,

Roger

That's a bummer having bought knives and not being able to see them. If you're worried about them getting lonely, just have them all shipped to me :D
 
Be very wary of buying/getting "genuine" ancient swords and other artefacts in China. Get these items verified by experts, if possible, before buying them.

The sellers of "ancient" stuff are getting better and better at making modern stuff look and feel old.
 
Cheers Golok,

Your absolutely right - but there was no major outlay involved, and I considered it a bit of fun, with little loss in the highly likely event that it is fake.

"Fakes" - are an art form in themselves over here!

Stephen

PS: Spent time in Sabah and KL in the summer - it a great place over there!
 
Stephen,

I'm wondering how much difficulty there may be
in getting Chinese artifacts out of the country?

Awsome piece. Looks like it would be quite
a study.

Russ
 
Russ,

Good question - before we leave our house will be subject to an inspection by a representative fom the city museum, who can restrict shipment of certain artifacts.

To be safe you need to purchase items from the Qing dynasty, with official seals.

My jades and seals are all recent - but other antquities are a risk, which I accept when I make the purchase. The sword is sourced from a farm 1 km from the Terracotta warriors - if it is genuine I will have to apply for an export permit, or do a back to back via a Hong Kong dealer which is expensive.

I have conflicting reports on its authenticity - problem is the source saying it was genuine said 500-600 yrs, which would make it Ming dynasty - The Terracotta Warriors were Qin and Han dynasty c.200-250BC. So I am sceptical. But design could be a copy of the ceremonial pieces stolen from the Qin tombs.

It keeps me out of trouble anyway.

Stephen
 
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