Authentic Chinese Jian 67.6 cm, with seven stars and brass scabbard, Qing Dynasty. • Well balanced sword with seven copper stars on both sides of the blade. • Decorated brass (above the wood) scabbard and fittings. • Age: Qing Dynasty. • Province: 龍泉 Longquan region (?) • Sword length: 26.5” = 67.6 cm; • Blade Length: 20.5 = 52 cm; • Blade Width: 1 3/8”; • Total weight (sword + scabbard): 1 lb. 9.3 oz. = 716 g; • Weight of the sword: 1 lb. 1.5 oz. = 497 g; • Weight of the scabbard: 7.6 oz. = 218 g; • The seven stars represent the big dipper constellation. Taoism in China associated the big dipper constellation with divine power and protection from evil. The stars are decorative in nature and for above belief. Provenance: private collection in California, USA. Possibly made in Longquan region in China. REFERENCES: Longquan, located in Zhejiang Province, China, is a traditional sword-making region. In particular, the "Longquan Sword" (Lóngquán Bǎojiàn) is famous, with a history said to span over 2,500 years. It is regarded as a symbol of fine craftsmanship and legendary blades in China. Běidǒu (北斗) means "the Big Dipper", also known as Ursa Major. A constellation that consists of seven stars. In the realm of arms and armor, běidǒu is commonly encountered on sword blades, often in the form of seven copper alloy plugs inserted into the blade, sometimes with lines connecting them. This is most often seen on Chinese straight-swords, called "seven stars jiàn" by collectors but they also appear on yǎnyuèdāo (偃月刀), and, more rarely, saber blades and spearheads. The motif is also seen on some blades from Korea and Vietnam. The Big Dipper is seen as the throne of Shàngdì (上帝), the "Supreme Deity" in ancient Chinese religion from the Shang dynasty to later Daoism. It was customarily worshipped on the 14th or 15th day of the 8th month.1 In folklore, the Southern Dipper is responsible for birth while the Big (Northern) Dipper was seen as responsible for death. The frequent placement of the Big Dipper on fighting swords was perhaps seen as taking this responsibility in one's own hands.2 https://www.mandarinmansion.com/glossary/beidou-beidou