*Chinese, Boxer Rebellion Era (Late Qing Dynasty c.1890–1900), Brass Mounted Shagreen Dao / Yaodao Saber (Short Sword) with Shagreen Scabbard*
A very attractive and authentic Chinese Late Qing Dynasty shagreen-mounted Dao saber, dating to the second half of the 19th century.
The sword is fitted with a slightly curved single-edged steel blade featuring twin narrow fullers running below the spine. The blade retains a pleasing aged patina and shows several small edge nicks consistent with period service use. The clipped “hatchet point” tip is typical of shorter Qing fighting sabers designed for quick cutting and close combat. The hilt is particularly striking, with a spiral fluted grip covered in polished shagreen (stingray skin) and bound with a continuous brass spiral strip. The grip is mounted with an oval brass guard and a domed brass pommel, both finely engraved with traditional scrolling foliate decoration.
The original wooden scabbard is covered in matching shagreen and fitted with decorative brass mounts including a locket, twin suspension bands and an engraved chape. The mounts display the same finely engraved foliate scrollwork as the hilt furniture, giving the piece a highly decorative and refined appearance.
The quality of the mounts, shagreen covering and engraved fittings suggests a higher quality military or private purchase example rather than a simple mass-issued weapon.
Approx. Measurements: Blade length: 45.9 cm, Overall length: 61 cm, Overall length in scabbard: 69 cm Blade width: approx. 3.5 cm, Top fuller: 18.5 cm, Second fuller: 27 cm
History Note:
Sabers of this type formed the backbone of edged weapons used by Qing dynasty soldiers during the 18th and 19th centuries. The dao was favored for its cutting ability and practical battlefield utility, and numerous variations existed depending on region and intended use.
Shorter sabers of this form are commonly described as yaodao (“waist sabers”) or duandao. Their compact proportions made them highly practical fighting weapons, well suited to close combat and widely carried by soldiers, guards and militia during the later Qing dynasty.
Weapons of this form were still widely carried during the Boxer Rebellion (1899–1901) and many examples were later brought back to Europe and North America by soldiers of the Eight-Nation Alliance, explaining their presence in Western collections today.
*Condition*
Overall the sword remains in very good antique condition. The blade shows honest age with light staining and several small edge nicks consistent with period use. The blade sits slightly loose within the scabbard but remains structurally sound. The shagreen grip and scabbard covering remain well preserved with only minor age wear. The brass mounts retain crisp engraved decoration and a pleasing aged patina. The scabbard interior shows remnants of original lining material. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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