QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY
LENGTH: 29.4CM (LENGTH OF KNIFE: 24.4CM;
LENGTH OF SHEATH: 22CM)
The dagger handle and sheath are both carved from bamboo veneer in low relief with scrolling lotus decoration. The blade, pommel, guard, slide and chape are made of ivory. The slide can be removed to reveal a small ivory pick.
SIMILAR EXAMPLES
A smaller example decorated with archaistic motives is published in Chinese Bamboo Carving Part II 中國竹刻藝術（下冊）, Hong Kong, 1982, pp. 326-327, Catalogue No. 137
A dagger very similar in size and decoration is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Small Refined Articles of the Study 文玩, 2009, pp. 186-187, Catalogue No. 171. The example is almost identical to the present piece except for the pummel which is made of bamboo veneer rather than ivory.
清中期竹黄刻花鞘象牙紙刀
