[cornelistromp]

At the beginning of the 18th century there was a lively trade between the Netherlands, China and Japan.
A good example are the small sword hilts made of antimony gold and copper , suassa metal, the so called Shakudo mounted hilts.
These were probably produced in Tonkin China ( Tonkin under japanese influence) and exported to the Netherlands where they were assembled into complete swords by the Dutch swordsmiths.
The Asian influence also entered into the Dutch production of small sword hilts.
an example is the smallsword of this thread, not Shakuda, where the asian influence is clearly visible.
The nuckleguard is in the shape of a serpent tail, winding with scales, the guillon ending in the monster's head.
The holes in the knuckleguard could have been used to decorate colored yarns.
there are images of asian looking? masks on the pommel and on the Shells.

I have some more examples of small sword with Asian influence that I will post here later.

best,
Jasper