Chinese Warring States Short Bronze Sword with Jade Taotie Inlay & Inscription

Description: Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Hilt/Grip: The slender, round hilt has two raised circular bands. This was a classic design used on all swords made during in the Wu and Yue regions during the early Waring States Period in the 5th century BCE. The hilt would have been wrapped with braided silk cords to allow the user to secure a firm grip. This would have been purely decorative, as this short sword was never used in battle, as it was a ritual/ceremonial offering to the Ancestors to prove that he was a high-status military leader during his earthly life. Guard: The sword guard was also cast in one piece with the sword's blade and hilt in a single mould. But then, a white jade inlay with the engraved face of a fierce animal called a Taotie was set into the guard. The Taotie was thought to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck to its owner. It would also help the spirit of the dead to be transported safely to Heaven (Tien in Chinese) and to spend eternity with his ancestors. · Pommel: The top-most part on this bronze sword is a small, circular-shaped disc that was usually decorated with cast designs of dragons or auspicious animals. The bronze patination and mineral deposits make the figures on this pommel undecipherable. The Immortal Mythical Beast—the Taotie Located at the center of bronze sword guard on both sides, is a white jade inlay (burial has turned the surface somewhat brown) in the image of the Taotie, a fierce, mythical creature that was thought to scare away evil spirits. He is prominently featured with his nose in the center, two large circular eyes, and a curved shaped mouth that is ready to devour any Evil Spirits that might prevent the soul of this man from reaching his ancestors in Heaven. His oversized round eyes and horizontal mouth have been incised into the hard jade with the finest of cut lines and are utterly amazing. Some experts suggest that a diamond or even an iron meteorite awl was used by the bronze age stone masons to make these ultra-thin cut lines, as Neolithic cultures did not yet have iron tools to incise the extremely hard jade. · PICTOGRAPHS/CHARACTERS NOTE: William Houghton, the President of ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS, a State of Washington Licensed Business, assumes all responsibility for the information contained in this description and for the English translation and transcription of the ancient Chinese graphic characters. Furthermore, I prohibit the further dissemination of this information in any written, video, or electronic format without my expressed, written approval. Thank You! On both sides of the blade, there appear to be 20+ ancient pictographs that have been painted over 2,500-years-agoand now show up on the bronze as a darker, brownish color. These tiny characters were not meant to be read by human eyes, but rather were only suitable for the sacred eyes of the gods and ancestors. I have translated into English the larger ones and those that I can see clearly enough. {See my detailed translation below.} · The two clearest characters on the blade are those of Sons holding axes that was used to sacrifice animals that appears to have horns and was likely an ox. The two characters are only about 7mm long and show the standing Sons holding a sword or flint axe that was commonly used to sacrifice beasts at ritual ceremonies. · Also, on the sides of the bronze guard there are several images of long animals that are likely Dragons and more images of Sons sacrificing animals. · There are several characters on the underside of the pommel, but I cannot see them clearly enough to identify and translate them. · On the blade, there are three characters that have been painted in a vertical column. The lowest character is a kneeling man, who was likely a servant. I was not able to identify the other two characters. REFERENCES: The Great Bronze Age of China: An Exhibition from the People’s Republic of China, edited by Wen Fong, 1980 Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1980. Ancient Chinese Warfare, Ralph D. Sawyer, Mei-chün Sawyer Archaeology, Archaeological Institute of America, Feb/March 2015 Shanghai Museum British Museum Museum of Chinese History, Beijing China Online Museum British Museum Saint Louis Art Museum Smithsonian Museum, Sackler & Freer Gallery, WDC MET, New York Please see photos for details as they are part of the description. Thank You! Bid with confidence--as I have Positive Feedback from hundreds of satisfied customers from around the world! International Buyers are responsible for all import taxes, duties, and shipping.No international returns. Thank You! Please look carefully at the photos, taken with 4x macro lens, since they are part of the description. It would make a wonderful addition to your collection or a Super gift! The stand, AA battery, and the ruler are not part of the auction, just there to give you a perspective and a good view of item. And please ask any questions before you buy. Thanks!

Price: 16250 USD

Location: Sequim, Washington

End Time: 2024-08-25T20:05:04.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD