Exceptionally large pierced iron guard for a Chinese yidao; "virtuous saber".

69 cm
20.8 cm wide
10.5 mm thick
2305 grams
Iron, steel
China
19th century
Description
A large Chinese pole-arm head with a crescent moon-shaped tip. The crescent is thick, double-edged with a high ridgeline in the center but the edges are not sharp. The head is forged-welded into a v-spliced tip of the spearhead.
The base consists of a large socket, indicating a rather thick and heavy pole was used for it. The socket is neatly forged, with a skillfully executed seam. At the top of the socket section is a smooth spherical ornament with chiseled ribs above and below. The top section that holds the crescent moon is octagonal in cross-section.









With markings attributing it to the Tongzhou incident and a Japanese surrender tag.
Silk horse mask from the Xianbei ruled dynasty which ruled northern China from 386 to 534 A.D.