19th century
The hilt, made of jade, features a baluster-shaped grip and a decorative pommel. The entire surface of the hilt is carved with flowers and leaves. The blade, made of steel, is slightly curved and features a carved lotus blossom at the base of the blade. The middle of the blade has two deeply-carved panels separated by a medial rib that runs to the base of the point.
35.75 cm (14 1/16 in.)
Bronze
2nd-1st millennium BCENear EasternSteel with traces of copper
16th-17th centuryIndianBlade: steel with gold-filled incised decoration and inscriptions; handle: braided brass wire over fabric on a wooden core; guard: cast brass and gilt bronze, with profile portrait of Lafayette enframed in draped flags; lion-headed pummel: cast brass with gilt bronze decoration
18th centuryFrenchBronze
ChineseIron
JapaneseLead
Arsenical copper
3rd millennium BCECypriotLeaded bronze
8th-5th century BCENear EasternLead
Cast bronze
11th century BCEChineseIron
JapaneseBronze
12th-10th century BCEIranian