19th C. Vietnamese Steel Saber w/ Wood, Bone

Southeast Asia, Vietnam, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A wonderful example of a Vietnamese saber exhibiting a classic design from the French colonial period. The thick handle is hand-carved from water buffalo bone, with a pommel end depicting the head of an abstract leonine figure, and the base surrounded by raised floral motifs. The brass hand guard has a tapered vertical bar that widens on either side of the handle. The lengthy steel blade has a thick spine, four shallow fullers, and a sharpened edge that terminates in a pointed tip. The lacquered wood sheath is decorated with gorgeous nacre inlays depicting long-stemmed flowers and fluttering birds, and two of the three silver attachments have petite strap loops. Size: 5.4" W x 31.8" H (13.7 cm x 80.8 cm); length of blade: 23.9" L (60.7 cm).

Provenance: private Nevada, USA collection; ex-private collection of a Vietnam War veteran

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#150096
Condition Report: Fissures and chips to scabbard, with minor indentations and sharp edges and loosening to silver attachments, and slight bending to overall form of blade. Great patina throughout.