A CHINESE SWORD (YAODAO), QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY with slightly curved broad single-edged blade formed with a long slender fuller on each face, brass hilt comprising lobed guard with broad brim, compressed elliptical pommel, and wooden grip covered with blackened plaited binding, in its fishskin-covered wooden scabbard (small cracks and losses) with large pierced and engraved white metal locket and chape each decorated with geometric scrolls on a scaly ground, and two further plain slender bands joined by a characteristic bar decorated with scrolls and with two loops for suspension 53.0 cm; 20 7/8 in blade Waist swords, or yaodao, were worn suspended from the belt and were widespread in the Qing military. See Bennett 2018, p. 75.