Carved turquoise sword ornament set, Han dynasty

Four pieces of carved turquoise, deep blue, with ochre and greenish flecks. This set of pieces was traditionally attached to the swords of personalities such as nobles, officials and aristocrats as a sign of power and status. It is made up of four pieces that were arranged on the hilt, the circular one being the head, called "剑首", the piece fitted between the shank and the sword, was called a sword tang and shows a pointed shape. At the lower end of the scabbard 劍(珌) another trapezoidal-looking piece is used, and finally the last piece is used to anchor belts on the side of the scabbard. All of them are decorated with fine reliefs of "谷纹" grain pattern. Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD) or later. 

Size: 3.8 x 5.3 x 1.5 cm; 2.6 x 8.4 x 1.3 cm; 2.5 x 5.6 x 1.7 cm; 5.1 x 5.2 x 1.1 cm

Total weight: 186 g

Provenance: Collection of Tommy Lam, Hong Kong, from 1980.