Boxer Rebellion period C.1899-1901. 31 3/4” length with 23 1/2” curved wedge section triple fullered blade engraved with Buddhist “cloud” motifs. The tip pierced for a red streamer which would provide a flash of color on the fatal downstroke. Small iron quatrefoil guard to position the hand and prevent slipping onto the blade, but of no defensive function. Two hand hilt with ring pommel wrapped in a split rattan. These were sometimes further wrapped in red cloth with the end as streamers. Boxer executioners visited villages, with the red streamers of their swords raised on the back, ferreting out foreigners, Christians, and those perceived too sympathetic to them, who were rounded up and decapitated for all to see. The very volume of their work dictated that they must act quickly and move on leaving carnage and a message in blood. An estimated 32,000 Chinese Christians and 200 foreign missionaries were executed. An estimated 100,000-300,000 Boxers were eventually defeated by 150,000 Chinese and European forces.
