Chinese mace

[koto]

Originally Posted by kronckew

i have seen bronze-age mace heads of just that knobbly form. a google search on 'bronze mace heads' is attached. note that a lot of such are modern reproductions (especially ebay) as in one shown roughly in the middle...

Most of them are Warring States period (475BC - 221BC) stuff, a couple New Stone Age.

Guys, the mace I posted was actually a hidden weapon of early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) or maybe a bit earlier. It is called 'sleeve mace', i.e. a mace hidden in the loose sleeve for sudden attack. Not quite chevalier manner, isn't it? This one got a style of the northern nomadic minorities. There are longer and heavier maces used for battle, some are standard arms for the armies. They may smash helmets easily. I have a few and can share later.

Here is another sleeve mace of the early to middle Qing period. This one is more of the style of the Central Areas.

[Neil]

Thanks for sharing koto. I have been looking for a Chinese mace similar to the second example. I am still curious from what sources you based your appraisals on the first mace. I am not saying you are wrong, only following the bread crumbs of research.

Here is an example of a Chinese blunt force short weapon I have in my research collection. It is 17 inches long with a flattened tip on the central rod.

[koto]

Hi Neil, nice spear head and Jian. Both are of Qing Dynasty items.

As for the first mace, you have a good question. Unfortunately there is no official record / literature on such items. Perhaps one can find bits and pieces information from the tomb wall painting, religious painting and folk painting, etc. Given the lack of research in this area, one can also line up items from different periods and get enlighten about their evolution.

The next 3 maces are of no doubt Qing Dynasty items. They are the standard arm of the dynasty army. The style is of the central area, the 'mellon' shape, or pumpkin if you like.