Sword, Scabbard, and Belt Hook blade, ca. 16th–17th century; hilt, scabbard, and belt, ca. early 18th–mid-19th century Tibetan The sinuous wood-grain pattern running down the center of the blade is among the most intricate and beautiful on any Tibetan sword in existence. The gold-and-silver decoration of the hilt and scabbard is also of the highest quality for the period. Lieutenant Edward Henry Lenon (1838–1893) captured the sword in China at the Battle of North Taku Fort on August 21, 1860, during the Second Opium War. Lenon was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in this
Sword, Scabbard, and Belt Hook blade, ca. 16th–17th century; hilt, scabbard, and belt, ca. early 18th–mid-19th century Tibetan The sinuous wood-grain pattern running down the center of the blade is among the most intricate and beautiful on any Tibetan sword in existence. The gold-and-silver decoration of the hilt and scabbard is also of the highest quality for the period. Lieutenant Edward Henry Lenon (1838–1893) captured the sword in China at the Battle of North Taku Fort on August 21, 1860, during the Second Opium War. Lenon was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in this sword is important for the quality and distinctiveness of its pattern welded blade; as an excellent example of a Tibetan sword made to be worn suspended from a sword belt in the Chinese fashion; for its overall state of preservation; and for its interesting provenance. The pattern welding technique used in the forging of the vast majority of traditional Tibetan blades results in a characteristic surface appearance consisting of a series of alternating light and dark v-shaped lines referred to as a "hairpin" pattern. This example is exceptional among the few Tibetan blades that vary from this norm. In addition, the great length of the blade and the style of mounting made to be worn in the Chinese fashion associate it with a small group of similarly outfitted Tibetan swords, all with highly decorated hilts and hilt consists of an iron trefoil-shaped pommel with broad, flat sides; a grip wrapped horizontally in plain silver wire; an iron collar at the base of the grip; and an iron guard with rounded ends, cusped edges, down turned sides and an open, hollow interior. The sides of the pommel and the grip collar are damascened in gold (gold wire burnished onto to a finely crosshatched ground) with short repeating diagonal bands containing a stylized swastika pattern. In the center of the back of the pommel there is a small iron ring attached to a circular petal-sh
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Photo credit: © MET/BOT / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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