White Copper Qilin Dragon Pattern Sword Antique Pendant

The qilin is the benevolent beast of the old books: it does not tread on living grass or break a growing branch, and picks its step. On Ming official dress the qilin badge belonged to dukes, marquises and counts, ranking above the crane of a first-rank civil official. Folk art also links it with the arrival of sons, and it appears constantly in New Year prints. Its form is assembled from parts, deer body, ox tail, horse hooves, one horn, and every dynasty drew it differently. The dragon is a separate lineage; putting both on one piece is a bid for completeness.

A sword pendant lives or dies on proportion. A guard too wide reads as a dagger, too narrow as a needle. The blade needs a ridge ground in two planes, so that the light runs straight. The tip is the real test of a mould: blunt looks dull, and sharp bends too easily. Whether the grip is wrapped depends on the model, and a wrap feels better while collecting dust. On an aged blade a bright line is left along the ridge, running from hilt to point, and the spirit of the piece is in that line.

Ageing takes the newness off the metal. Dark stays in the grooves, the ridge is polished bright, one line from end to end, and the piece comes alive. An aged piece must not be rubbed hard with a cloth: do that often enough and the boundary between light and dark blurs and the whole thing goes pale. Bite it deep and the pattern deadens; bite it shallow and it looks untreated. No two in a batch match, which is normal for handwork. If yours arrives too dark, leave it a few days and the oil in your hands brings a little back.

A Chopin chain is the standard pairing for a sword. Flat links carry the weight and do not tangle. People who buy the pendant alone usually have a leather cord, so the hole in the hilt has to be big enough for a doubled cord. A chain to the chest puts the tip at the stomach, clear of bone as you walk. The shape is long and presses against a seat belt in the car, where shorter is better. Choose a lobster clasp; a spring clasp will not hold this weight.

It makes a considered gift. For a younger person, talk about the benevolent beast; for a friend who has just changed jobs, the qilin in its place, standing firm. Don’t bring up the sons, since not everyone wants to hear it. Some people are uneasy about sword shapes, so ask before wrapping. Qilin and dragon are both auspicious beasts and neither is diminished by the other, so there is no need to rank them. A note in the box on where the two motifs come from will make the recipient think you know the field.