Chinese? Type name?
 

Attached are photos of a sword that I'm trying to identify. I thought Tibetan but in Stone's, p.594 #20, is a similar style called Chinese. Most odd is the guard being cupped-shaped. Can anyone shine some light on this for me? My area is in Japanese swords, but these kind of things are also fascinating. Looks like a real sword, not a tourist item.

Ron
STL

Hi Ron,
Do you mean Dao?

Best
Gene

Photos of the entire sword would be helpful... :)

Looks like a Chinese saber or Dao to me... (dao can mean all sort of single edges blades by the way).... maybe a Goose quill or Willow leaf style blade? I say that since I rarely see Ox-tail blades with angular handle and fittings. Dao guards are often cup-like.

I agree with above, MORE PHOTOS PLEASE! :)

More photos
 

I tried to post a full length view of this sword with my first post, but it wouldn't work. I'll try it again here. I do suspect this is as you guys said, a Chinese cupped guard dau, but your import will confirm that, I'm sure. Thanks

Ron
STL

Is there a good provenance in this one? If not, you might want to be suspicious. The flat fittings are very similar to many fakes. The pictures are not good enough to tell if it is genuine, but unless you know better, caveat emptor. :shrug:

That said, it is a Chinese willow leaf dao. The lotus guard and the pierced fittings may indicate Tibetan influence, but they are also common on Chinese things.
Josh