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Antique 19th-century Chinese QingDynasty coin sword or “cash sword” (qianjian / 錢劍), a traditional protective talismanconstructed from 146 Chinese cash coins intricately bound with aged red/pinkand golden fiber cord.
Coin swords were traditionally used in China asprotective or apotropaic objects intended to ward off harmful influences andevil spirits. Comparable Qing Dynasty examples are preserved in major museumcollections, including the British Museum and Smithsonian.
This is an unusually compact, dagger-sized andelaborately ornamented example. The approximately 12-inch sword has overlappingrows of cash coins forming the blade, a broad coin-built guard and a thickstacked-coin grip. Numerous additional coins hang from cords, including astriking flower-shaped coin rosette with an eight-spoke woven center.
Several coins retain legible Qing Dynastyinscriptions, while others display characteristic Manchu mint marks. The coinsappear to include different Qing issues, including Qianlong-period types.Earlier cash coins were commonly incorporated into later coin swords.
146 coins total are incorporated into thecomplete piece.
Condition is antique and intact with no brokencords or missing coins. It has expected oxidation and wear to the coins and minorfading, discoloration, fraying and loose ends to the cord. Nothing has beencleaned, restrung, tightened or restored.
An unusual surviving example of Qing DynastyChinese folk tradition and material culture, particularly appealing tocollectors of Chinese antiques, Asian numismatics, traditional talismans andethnographic art.
Approximate sword length: 12 inches, notincluding the extended hanging cords and ornaments.
Keyword tags: Chinese coin sword, cash sword,qianjian, qian jian, Qing Dynasty, 19th century Chinese, Chinese talisman,protective talisman, Chinese amulet, 146 cash coins, Chinese cash coin,Qianlong coin, Qing cash, Manchu coin, Asian numismatics, Chinese numismatic,Chinese folk art, folk religion, apotropaic, feng shui, coin dagger, Chinesesword, antique Chinese coins, ethnographic art, Asian antique, Chinesecollectible, cabinet of curiosities
