18th C. Chinese Iron Tiger Trident (Hu Cha)
East Asia, China, later Qing Dynasty, ca. late 18th to 19th century CE. A fine, well preserved example of a "tiger trident" or "tiger fork", known in Chinese as "hu cha". It is made from a conical socket that tapers to a sharp point and a crescent shaped item with a socket at its middle that sits roughly one third of the way down the central socket, together forming a trio of sharp points. Two tiny perforations low on the central socket demonstrate how this weapon would have been attached to a pole. It is believed that this style of weapon evolved in southern China for hunting tigers, but by the Qing period - and indeed today - its use was in martial arts. Size: 10.1" W x 17.5" H (25.7 cm x 44.4 cm)
Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in February 2014; ex-private Duluth, Georgia, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#151953
Condition Report: Rich patina on all surfaces. Tiny losses around the base of the socket, but otherwise in very nice condition.
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East Asia, China, later Qing Dynasty, ca. late 18th to 19th century CE. A fine, well preserved example of a "tiger trident" or "tiger fork", known in Chinese as "hu cha". It is made from a conical socket that tapers to a sharp point and a crescent shaped item with a socket at its middle that sits roughly one third of the way down the central socket, together forming a trio of sharp points. Two tiny perforations low on the central socket demonstrate how this weapon would have been attached to a pole. It is believed that this style of weapon evolved in southern China for hunting tigers, but by the Qing period - and indeed today - its use was in martial arts. Size: 10.1" W x 17.5" H (25.7 cm x 44.4 cm)
Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in February 2014; ex-private Duluth, Georgia, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#151953
Condition Report: Rich patina on all surfaces. Tiny losses around the base of the socket, but otherwise in very nice condition.