A rare opportunity indeed to acquire three iron swords, each made around 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). Two are of the single-edged type with a ring at the end, although one has lost most of its ring, and the other has a double-edged blade with the more traditional handle. Two of the swords have on their surfaces "fossilised" remains of their wooden scabbards, now long since rotted away and lost. The third, the double-edged sword, has imprints of a finely woven fabric on its surface suggesting it was wrapped in silk prior to burial.

Although many bronze swords and blades of this period are known, surviving iron weapons are exceedingly rare.

The lengths are 74 cm, 69 cm & 65 cm. There is no restoration or repair.

Please note that the surface in places is quite loose, especially on the single-edged swords, and it is likely that some of the rust will flake off during transit although we shall of course wrap them in such a way to minimise such loss. The initial layer of wrapping will be in clingfilm so that any such flakes will not be lost and should remain in the same place. The buyer can then decide whether or not to introduce an agent to stabilise the surface.

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