Early 20th C. Chinese Iron Guan Dao w/ Bamboo Handle

East Asia, China, late Qing Dynasty to early Republic period, ca. first quarter of the 20th century CE. A lengthy polearm known as a guan dao (also guandao, yan yue dao, yanyuedao, literally "reclining moon blade") with a tall, crescent-shaped blade of forged iron with a sharpened exterior edge and a perforated interior tab for suspending aesthetic ornamentation; a curved and pointed hook traditionally took the place of the ornament tab. The blade tang is housed within a recessed shaft atop the slender bamboo pole handle, and a tapered plug at the bottom suggests this pole could be extended with the addition of a second pole. Size: 9.6" W x 61.75" L (24.4 cm x 156.8 cm); (blade): 20" L (50.8 cm)

For a stylistically similar example with a dragon head at the base of the blade, please see: Withers, Harvey J.S. "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Swords and Sabres." Lorenz Books, London, 2010, p. 220, middle example.

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in the early 2000s; ex-private Portland, Oregon, USA collection

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#153910
Condition Report: Repairs to top of bamboo pole body, with several stabilized fissures, and small chips and adhesive residue along break lines. Original pole body addition missing. Slight bending to overall form of blade, with stable fissures across one central area of blade, and several stable fissures to bamboo pole. Nice patina throughout.