Swords types
from TOP to BOTTOM:
1) Typical Mongol saber of the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368).
The ancestor of the goosequill and willow leaf sabers of later dynasties.
The goosequill saber and willow leaf saber were to be used by the military and civilians alike.
2) Goosequill saber (yanmaodao) of the Ming and middle Qing Dynasties (1368-1800?).
The blade is straight until the curve begins around the centre of percussion. The center of percussion is the point on the blade with the least vibration on hard contact, the spot on the blade that transmits the most power to the target in a hard chop. This type of sword seems to have lost its popularity by the end of the 18th century.
3) Willow leaf saber (liuyedao) of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911).
It is characterised by the blade having a gentle curve throughout its length. The steepness of the curve increases as it moves towards the tip.
4) Oxtail saber (niuweidao).
It originated in the late Qing Dynasty and was used exclusively by civilians and not by the Qing military.
Commonly known today as " the Chinese Broadsword ".
5) Commonly used by civilians, the typical Jian of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911).
(Ruled 1736-1795) Emperor Qianlong's
Goosequill Sabers (Yan Mao Dao)
Emperor Qianlong's
Saber (named Kouming) with Goosequill-style(Yan Mao Dao) blade.
Thought to be from the Ming Dynasty, this
Saber exhibits the "Rolling Pearls" design.
Most likely of 17th-19th century manufacture, this
Saber exhibits a chamber where "Rolling Pearls" or "tears of the afflicted" would transverse.
A Qing Dynasty
Sword Dao with segmented fullers.
Paul Chen's modern-made
Imperial Willow Leaf Saber.
Descendent of the
Turko-Mongol Saber: the magnificent gold-inlaid saber made for Ottoman Turkey's Sultan Suleiman, the Magnificent, who lived 1495-1566.
Qing Dynasty
Jian Sword with nice fittings and with the inlaid Seven Stars symbol referring the Great Bear constellation.
