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Swords, with scabbard mounts, Sui dynasty (581–618), ca. 600
Chinese
Iron, gilt bronze, silver, wood
Gift of George D. Pratt, 1930 (30.65.1); Gift of Clarence H. Mackay, 1930 (30.65.2)

These swords are said to have been found in an imperial tomb at Beijueshan, near Luoyang, Henan Province. The P-shaped scabbard mounts, which probably derive from the long swords worn in West and Central Asia by the nomadic Sarmatian and Sasanian horsemen, allowed the weapon to hang at an angle and served as a prototype for the Japanese tachi (slung sword). The ring pommel on one sword encloses a phoenix head and on the other takes the form of two confronted dragons.


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    Swords, with scabbard mounts, Sui dynasty (581–618), ca. 600
    Chinese
    Iron, gilt bronze, silver, wood
    Gift of George D. Pratt, 1930 (30.65.1); Gift of Clarence H. Mackay, 1930 (30.65.2)