龍泉 Longquan region - Jian Chinese sword 91.7 cm, with 7 stars of Ursa Major, Qing dynasty 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. Old Chinese Jian sword and scabbard. Straight double edged blade with 8 brass inlaid circles to either side of the fuller. The straight blade has seven dimples on both sides, resembling the seven stars of the Big Dipper. See my glossary article Běidǒu (北斗) for its meaning. 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 Mounts in pierced brass openwork with dragons and inscribed 龍泉 throughout. Known Lóngquán 龍泉 makers: Several workshops are mentioned in Chinese sources. These were called jiàn pù (剑铺) or sword shops. 1) Qiān Zì Hao (千字号). Founded 1748. Active to at least Guangxu period (1875-1908). 1748, the 13th year of Qianlong, blacksmith Zhèng Yì Shēng ((郑义生) opened the shop in Lóngquán East Street. He used a traditional method of guàn gāng (灌钢), combining molten pig iron and wrought iron to make swords. The method resulted in sharp swords that do not rust easily. 2) 1830 (circa), Daoguang period, the Liào Tài Hé (廖太和) sword shop was known for skilled lòukè gōng (镂刻工), carving, in a decorative style of the Warring States period. 3) 1858 (8th year of Xianfeng). The Taiping Army was stationed in Lóngquán and needed a large number of swords and weapons. The fourth-generation grandson of Zhèng Yì Shēng, Zhèng Sāngǔ (郑三古)'s shop was overwhelmed by the surge in demand. https://www.mandarinmansion.com/glossary/longquan Total sword length: 36 1/8" = 91.75 cm; Blade length: 29" = 74 cm; Scabbard length: 30.2” = 76.5 cm; Weight of the sword: 827 g; Weight of sword in scabbard: 1,163 g; Wooden scabbard has bronze fittings with 2 characters: 龍泉 = Longquan. Provenance: Ex-Southern California Estate Similar sword is exhibited in Metropolitan Museum, New York, USA (the last photo #14)