An early form niúwěidāo
With good, layered blade, mounted in forged iron mounts.A Qing strength bow
A very heavy Manchu bow used for strength training and military examinations.A deconstructed Qing bow
For the bowyers, a set of parts of an authentic 19th century Qing bow.Qing folding bow
A short-eared composite bow with an iron hinge in the handle so it folds upon itself.Qing military rank badge
Depicting the golden cat, representing the 6th military rank.Qing piandao polearm
Of a style that fell out of use with the fall of the Qing.Late Qing jian
A typical example, complete with lacquered scabbard.Seven stars militia jian
A short, stout Chinese straightsword of a type used by village defenses across the empire.Ming style spearhead
A heavy, well-made piece that was probably a military issue.Qijiadao in Vince Evans mounts
The 17th-century blade is mounted in fittings designed by Philip Tom and executed by Vince Evans some 20 years ago.Qing archer's belt
Made of heavy silk with gilt copper alloy mounts.Southern Chinese double knives
With carved hardwood grips. Complete with pigskin scabbard.Chinese téngpái
The famous tiger faced rattan shield as used by Chinese skirmishers.17th century armored vest
An extremely rare sleeveless vest from the Ming-Qing transition period.Fangshi officer's saber
With a good blade and a set of fittings that exceed the quality of most of this period.Early yútóudāo
With influences from several cultures that are rarely seen on a single blade.Large Southern Chinese saber
Built around a beautifully forged blade, in full polish, revealing a burl grain pattern.An antique chángdāo
Its large blade is of ridged cross-section, inspired by the Japanese design.Chinese bronze mace (tóngjiǎn)
With large dragon head collar piece.A rare Qing bow
With translucent horn bellies glued on red pigment.A rare Jinchuan sword
A royal sword, probably from the Wasi kingdom in present-day Sichuan province.A Chinese bow by Changxing
Rare extant work of a famous workshop in Chengdu.An exceptionally large dadao
With a wide clipped tip with notched upper edge.Antique wide bladed hudiedao
Introduction
The hudiedao (蝴蝶刀), are a type of double swords peculiar to the port ci
Village militia dadao
Description
A large Chinese double handed falchion of a form that is both related to the niuweid
A Chinese hook sword
A rather well-made example of its type.Chinese jade handled dagger
It has a solid pale green jade hilt that is fitted to a silver collar-piece.Chinese double shortswords
A good set of the first half of the 19th century, with large and rather heavy forge folded blades.Antique Chinese saber fittings
Description
An antique set of scabbard fittings for a Chinese saber, probably second half of the 18th centu
Rare iconographic Mongolian style knife
Introduction
Many Mongols, the Khalkas in particular, had close ties with the Manchu ruling elite during th
Antique Chinese jian
A fine Chinese straightsword blade, of typical Qing form with a rather wide profile.Late Qing southern saber
With differential heat-treatment, creating a cloudy crystalline effect along the edge.Chinese openwork (loukong) saber guard
The archetypical Chinese sword guard of the 17th century.Antique Chinese bronze mace
Introduction
Chinese civilian martial artists used a wide variety of weapons.
Chinese trousse with inlaid iron mounts
Background
Sets with a knife and chopsticks -and sometimes some other utensils- were common all over the Qi
Qing dynasty hunter's powder flask
Introduction
The elite of the Qing dynasty was Manchu, who before taking over China from the Ming lived in th
Early Qing saber
A rare Chinese officer's saber of the 17th century.Chinese tiger fork
One of the classic weapons in Chinese martial arts.Chinese sword breaker
With tapering blade, hollow ground on each side to make the edges slightly sharper.Excellent Qing officer saber
Introduction
The yaodao, literally "waist saber" was the standard side-arm for the Qing dynas
A Sirdan, or Manchu war arrow
This large and imposing type of war arrow is often compared to a small spear.Peidao in iron fangshi mounts
Introduction
The terms peidao or yaodao are synonyms that were in use simultaneously in Q
A fine Chinese yànchìdāo
It comes with its complete set of fittings in a thick gauge of báitóng.Southern Chinese saber
Introduction
The yaodao, literally "waist saber" was the standard side-arm for the Qing dynas
A Chinese sword breaker (jian)
Introduction
In Chinese military culture, there has long been a distinction between two hea
Heavy Manchu war or strength bow
With an estimated draw weight of 160-200 pounds.A good pair of butterfly swords
Introduction
The hudiedao (蝴蝶刀), are a type of double swords peculiar to