Antique Jade Sword

Rick · 23rd June 2010, 04:35 PM

Yes, Philip Tom is the real deal .
Trust his remarks about your sword .
They are spot on .

Bill M · 23rd June 2010, 05:44 PM

Mario,

I understand how this must feel. My first Chinese sword was an "Imperial Emperor General Jian," from eBay. Whew! It was a learning experience! Ouch! That was a few years ago and while I have found a few bargains online, the best have come from reputable dealers and other collectors.

So, how do you know the "reputable" people? Hang around here and ask a few questions. Make friends, read books, visit museums. This is not an exact science and you will make some mistakes, but as you study, network and learn, the mistakes will get fewer.

With the kind assistance of several of the forum members here, I acquired some authentic and beautiful pieces. Collecting is a fascinating and worthwhile endeavor.

You can absolutely trust Phillip Tom's comments. He is one of the very top experts in the world in Chinese arms. You do not need to look further. He is trying to help you understand.

There are others here who are also experts in their fields.

I am sure that I speak for many of the people on this Forum when I say, "Welcome." Hope that we see you again.

Bill

cmario88 · 23rd June 2010, 06:04 PM

Bill, Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. Sometimes you need a thick skin when dealing with forums, some people take things way too personal and view what you say as an attack on them. Fortunately it hasn’t happen here. I think I’ll be sticking around for a while. Got a lot to learn!

Mario

cmario88 · 23rd June 2010, 05:48 PM

Hi Rick, I was hoping this site would be the place I'd find some answers and it hasn't disappointed. Everyone has been Great and yes it -Stings- a little learning about my sword but I still enjoy and appreciate it.

Regards

Rick · 23rd June 2010, 06:02 PM

You're very welcome cmario88 .

Maybe you'll become an enthusiast ...aka Addict .

Philip · 23rd June 2010, 09:47 PM

Mario, and all the gang...
If you want to see some Chinese arms from the former imperial court collection, at last we have an all-color book that's strictly devoted to the subject (not the usual art book with maybe one armor and two swords amidst a whole slew of paintings and armchairs):
ARMAMENTS AND MILITARY PROVISIONS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION OF TREASURES OF THE PALACE MUSEUM VOL. 56, Hong Kong: Commercial Press 2008. Hardbound, lg format, 262 pp, with material grouped into themes: military parades, hunting, horsey stuff, armor, swords and sabers, archery, firearms and light artillery. A lot of the pieces were products of the Forbidden City's workshops or of artisans commissioned by the court. Even more interesting historically are foreign weapons captured in war, presented as tribute gifts, and purchased for military trials and issue during the late 19th cent. modernization drive.

Text in Chinese but picture captions have English with dimensions. Photography is excellent, except they goofed on some pics of the hunting guns so you end up with the impression that most of the Qing emperors were southpaw shooters like yours truly! Just remember that on a matchlock, the serpentine and priming pan are on the RIGHT side of the barrel and you be fine.

You might check Paragon Books in Chicago or Han-Shan Tang in the UK, they may have still have it in stock since it's a fairly new publication.

Atlantia · 23rd June 2010, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmario88

Hi Rick, I was hoping this site would be the place I'd find some answers and it hasn't disappointed. Everyone has been Great and yes it -Stings- a little learning about my sword but I still enjoy and appreciate it.

Regards

Mario

Even though your sword is a marriage of ancient, old and new parts etc, it's still a beautiful thing.
Definately oil the blade. Rub some WD40 or something into the rust to make sure it doesn't progress.
Enjoy it as a beautiful object.... then go and find it some friends

Many collectors here have items in their collections that are not completely original, many have reproduction items. And you're not the first here to find out that an item isn't entirely 'kosher' after owning it for a while

Hope to see some more of your finds soon.
Gene

23rd June 2010, 06:04 PM	#3
cmario88 Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 8	Bill Bill, Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. Sometimes you need a thick skin when dealing with forums, some people take things way too personal and view what you say as an attack on them. Fortunately it hasn’t happen here. I think I’ll be sticking around for a while. Got a lot to learn! Mario

23rd June 2010, 05:48 PM	#4
cmario88 Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 8	Thank You Rick Hi Rick, I was hoping this site would be the place I'd find some answers and it hasn't disappointed. Everyone has been Great and yes it -Stings- a little learning about my sword but I still enjoy and appreciate it. Regards

23rd June 2010, 09:47 PM	#6
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	Check this book out, there's pavlovian stuff in it Mario, and all the gang... If you want to see some Chinese arms from the former imperial court collection, at last we have an all-color book that's strictly devoted to the subject (not the usual art book with maybe one armor and two swords amidst a whole slew of paintings and armchairs): ARMAMENTS AND MILITARY PROVISIONS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION OF TREASURES OF THE PALACE MUSEUM VOL. 56, Hong Kong: Commercial Press 2008. Hardbound, lg format, 262 pp, with material grouped into themes: military parades, hunting, horsey stuff, armor, swords and sabers, archery, firearms and light artillery. A lot of the pieces were products of the Forbidden City's workshops or of artisans commissioned by the court. Even more interesting historically are foreign weapons captured in war, presented as tribute gifts, and purchased for military trials and issue during the late 19th cent. modernization drive. Text in Chinese but picture captions have English with dimensions. Photography is excellent, except they goofed on some pics of the hunting guns so you end up with the impression that most of the Qing emperors were southpaw shooters like yours truly! Just remember that on a matchlock, the serpentine and priming pan are on the RIGHT side of the barrel and you be fine. You might check Paragon Books in Chicago or Han-Shan Tang in the UK, they may have still have it in stock since it's a fairly new publication.

23rd June 2010, 04:35 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Yes, Philip Tom is the real deal . Trust his remarks about your sword . They are spot on .

23rd June 2010, 05:44 PM	#2
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Mario, I understand how this must feel. My first Chinese sword was an "Imperial Emperor General Jian," from eBay. Whew! It was a learning experience! Ouch! That was a few years ago and while I have found a few bargains online, the best have come from reputable dealers and other collectors. So, how do you know the "reputable" people? Hang around here and ask a few questions. Make friends, read books, visit museums. This is not an exact science and you will make some mistakes, but as you study, network and learn, the mistakes will get fewer. With the kind assistance of several of the forum members here, I acquired some authentic and beautiful pieces. Collecting is a fascinating and worthwhile endeavor. You can absolutely trust Phillip Tom's comments. He is one of the very top experts in the world in Chinese arms. You do not need to look further. He is trying to help you understand. There are others here who are also experts in their fields. I am sure that I speak for many of the people on this Forum when I say, "Welcome." Hope that we see you again. Bill

23rd June 2010, 06:02 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	You're very welcome cmario88 . Maybe you'll become an enthusiast ...aka Addict .