Qing swords

The Qing Dynasty was a regime established by a minority ethnic group, with an aesthetic pursuit of bright and vivid beauty and a craft pursuit of luxurious intricacy. The handicrafts of any other Chinese dynasty seem too simplistic in contrast with those in Qing. This is also the case with swords. During the Qing Dynasty, swords were mostly symbolic ceremonial objects. Apart from the emperor wearing them on special occasions, they were mostly used for offerings and entertainment, or as gifts for royal family members and civil and military ministers.

The body of a Qing sword is light, thin, and narrow, with four-sided swords being the most common. The sword fittings are intricate and delicate, and the engraving decorations all emphasize “the image must have meaning, and the meaning must be auspicious,” which is very in line with modern aesthetics.