300-200 BCE
4.1 × 54.8 cm, 387 g (1 5/8 × 21 9/16 in.)
Bronze
6th-2nd century BCENear EasternMalachite- and azurite-encrusted bronze blade; greenish, brown jadelike guard
5th-3rd century BCEChinese
Iron
4th-1st century BCE
Iron
4th-1st century BCE
Iron
4th-3rd century BCECast bronze with black and greenish patina and remnants of oxidized cord on the hilt and traces of wood on the blade; inscription (added later) inlaid in gold
5th-3rd century BCEChinese
Bronze
4th-2nd century BCE
Iron
3rd-2nd century BCEOxide-encrusted bronze blade; bone-colored nephrite guard
5th-3rd century BCEChineseBronze with turquoise inlays (inscription cast on both sides of the sword guard)
5th-3rd century BCEChinese
Iron
3rd-2nd century BCELead
3rd century BCEEgyptian