chine Iron Late Qing Chinese Daoism

Traditional Chinese saber of the Dadao/Niuweidao type with a ring-hilt.

Late Qing to early Republic of China period, 1880–1920, more than 100 years old, an antique weapon for ethnographic collection.

Characteristics:
- Blade forged in old steel, single-edged, strongly curved toward the tip, formed like a bull’s head. Total length to be measured; blade length to be measured. Thick spine.
- Engraved with a burin on two faces, continuous line with a stylized dragon in clouds (yunlong), typical of the late Qing. Point pierced with a brass eyelet for a lanyard.
- Inscription engraved near the guard: two Chinese characters 本 命 Ben Ming, meaning the origin of life/destiny, a talismanic inscription common on militia weapons of the late Qing.
- Long grip wrapped with a fiber plant cord, old brown-black, very dry, with a terminal ring wrapped in the same material; wear and partial rupture at the ring junction visible in photos 6, 7, 8. Ancient patina.
- Ancient patina; speckled oxidation; fine pitting on the point and on the blade’s flat; blade shows no modern re-sharpening (see photos).

Marks of old use.

Condition: good for age, over 100 years, oxidation on surface, cord worn, ring partly split, no modern restoration.

Provenance: private collection, Montpellier, France.

Item classified as an antique weapon for collection, over 100 years old, non-functional, sold as an ethnographic historic object.

Photos 8 HD provided: blade showing two faces, tip with brass eyelet, dragon engraving, inscription Ben Ming, and ring-hilt.