|
Date: |
|
Description: | Coin sword constructed from a central iron rod with a number of cast brass coins threaded onto it to form the hilt. Sword guard and blade made up from rows of coins threaded through with alternating yellow and red string. Floral ornament made from coins with individual coins suspended from it, tied to sword with dark green ribbon. Section of blade detached but present. The purpose of a coin sword is to drive away evil spirits. The coin swords were believed to be most powerful when all coins had the same inscription. Most coins used in this sword are from the reign of the Qianlong emperor (1736-95), who ruled for a full sixty year cycle according to the Chinese calendar, which is a very auspicious number.
caption: General view of whole of Horniman Museum object no nn3608 | Publisher: | http://www.horniman.ac.uk/ | Rights holder: | Horniman Museum and Gardens | Subjects: | plant material protective charms coins metal swords (weapons (currency & wealth)) iron coin swords Health and Healing | Source: | Horniman Museum | Identifier: | oai:oai.horniman.ac.uk:object-109130 | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Dirk
Japanese dirk, the hilt of…
-
-
|