Bronze Sword

-475

-221

3.4

55.3

HKU.B.1954.0098

This is a sword coming from the Warring States period of China. The body of this sword has no decorative pattern, and the design is simple and primitive. Its length suggests that it might be a sword from the middle of the Warring States period because the length of the early Warring States period is usually 20 to 30 cm, and the length of the late period is generally more than 70 cm. During the Warring States period, the length of swords became longer and longer, and people generally thought that the longer the swords, the better attacking power, the more practical use.

This sword has no typical sword head, which is an ornament inlaid on the sword stem. It usually indicates the hierarchical status of the owner. As time goes by, this bronze sword has been oxidized to turquoise. The part "Ge" also began to loosen from the sword body. However, the overall preservation of this sword is relatively good, which might be due to the well-use of copper sulphides as anti-corrosion coatings on this sword.