Subject: 士 shi warrior
Culture: proto-Chinese
Setting: Warring States, China 5th-4thc BC
Object: 劍 sword
*
* Kimbell Art Museum > Passport to Asia
"Sword handle China, Eastern Zhou period, 5th-4th century BC Iron and Jade
The majority of jade fittings were made to adorn the swords of nobles, which were hung from the belt and secured to it with the aid of a slide attached to the scabbard. Sword fittings in jade started to be made around the fifth century BC. Initially they were limited to jade handles into which iron swords were inserted, such as this handle, in whitened jade and decorated with a pattern of intertwined snakes, a decoration often seen on jades made in South China."
Royal Ontario Museum > China Galleries *
"Sword Iron 771-221 BC Eastern Zhou dynasty
The improvement of iron alloys during the Eastern Zhou period contributed dramatically to agricultural productivity and surplus. This in turn provoked frequent warfare between states seeking to expand their geographical territories and political dominance. Razor-sharp swords forged from iron and usually decorated with delicate jade attachments, became the battle weapon of choice at this time." ...
"Épée Fer 771-221 av. J.-C. dynastie Zhou orientaux
Lors de la dynastie des Zhou orientaux, des améliorations apportées aux alliages de fer contribuèrent randement à la productivité et aux surplus agricoles. Ces améliorations entraînèrent des guerres fréquentes entre les États cerchant à agrandir leur territoire géographique et à éntendre leur dominance politique. Des épées tranchantes comme des rasoirs, gorées à partir du fer et habituellement ornées d'élégants accessoires de jade, devinrent les armes de combat préférées de cette époque." ...
* BK1425
Xinfei *
*
