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Top and Middle pics: Emperor Qianlong's saber (named Kouming) with goosequill-style(yanmaodao) blade and Mughal India-inspired handle, a clean and plain white jade handle with no decoration. Notice also the use of gold and silver inlay designs on the forte of the blade. Click on the right pic to read the article on Taiwanese swordmaker Paul Chen's reproduction of this saber. For a view of this reproduction, mass-produced for sale by Paul Chen, click on the bottom pic.

............................................. Bottom pic: Another Qianlong saber with an identical scabbard design but having a handle design with decoration. Inset photo: British ambassador George Macartney's presentation gift of an exquisite saber to Emperor Qianlong (in 1793?). Could this be the saber that Emperor Qianlong had based on for his designs of the 2 sabers shown here?? .............................................