Turquoise and Jade Inset Bronze Dagger

A rare turquoise and jade inset bronze dagger, spring and…
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A rare turquoise and jade inset bronze dagger, spring and autumn or Warring States, circa 500-400BC, the short dagger cast with an openwork lattice design handle composed of interlocking snakes, studded with small turquoise cabochon bosses, the lattice cast with intricate geometric designs and a stylised snake head to each side, the pommel inset with a pierced jade disk. Encrusted verdigris patina throughout. Together with a black metal stand, 25 cm long, 4 cm wide. Provenance: purchased from dragon culture, Hong Kong, 1999 or 2000,

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  • Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
  • Patination / Patina - In broad terms, patination refers to the exterior surface appearance of the timber, the effect of fading caused by exposure to sunlight and air over the course of a century or more, changing the piece to a soft, mellow colour.

    As patina is very difficult to replicate, it is one of the most important guides to determining the age of furniture.

    Patina is also the term applied to the bloom or film found on old bronzes due to oxidisation.
  • Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.

    The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.

    It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture.