Longue Epée en Bronze Dynastie des Zhou Orientaux, époque des Royaumes Combattants

la longue lame parcourue sur ses deux faces d'une longue arête centrale biseautée, le manche surgissant de la garde en forme d'aile, rythmé de deux bagues en relief et se terminant en un pommeau concave orné d'un masque d'animal en jade sculpté, D.W 31/130

The x-ray reveals no breaks to the sword. There is extensive malachite encrustation to both sides of the blade. The pommel has been replaced with a small calcified jade animal mask of Han date at a later point. The inventory number D.W. is inscribed in white on the back of the handle. The bronze patina and malachite encrustation a darker, richer colour than the catalogue illustration suggests.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Numerous swords of this type have been excavated in China, compare an example recovered from an Eastern Zhou tomb at Chengqiao, Jiangsu, illustrated in Kaogu, 1974.2, pl. 5 fig. 1. Orvar Karlbeck notes that the 'Huai valley has been very rich in finds of swords of various types of bronze as well as of iron', illustrating several examples discovered during his stay in the Jiangsu/Shandong area between 1908 and 1927, see Orvar Karlbeck, 'Selected Objects from Ancient Shou-Chou', in Bulletin of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, no. 27, 1955, pp. 46-48 and pl. I. 1-4.