A Chinese trousse with shagreen case

A Chinese trousse with shagreen case

Trousses or eating sets were commonly used by the Chinese, especially the Manchu since the 18th century. During the reign of emperor Qianlong (1735-1796) the Manchu were forbidden to eat pre-cut meat because of the strict Manchu tradition of eating in the rough outdoors. Being able to cut flesh straight from the animal was considered as an important tradition. During the late 18th and 19th century many people wore eating sets of a wide variety in quality.

China, 19th century or older

Materials: Wood, Steel, Bone, Shagreen, Paktong

Status: Sold

Description

A very fine example of a Chinese trousse or eating set containing a very well made knife, bone chopsticks and a wooden, sharkskin covered case with paktong fittings.
The eating sets were commonly worn by the Chinese and vary in quality.

This example has a knife with long fullered blade with a nice heat treatment pattern. The handle is made of two bone slabs, riveted together with iron rivets. The pommel is made of paktong. The blade shows a fine cutting edge and has a double edged tip. The old patinated bone chopsticks are in round form and fit perfectly in the scabbard. The scabbard is made of wood, wrapped in polished rayskin (Shagreen) and has paktong fittings. The scabbard has one suspension ring.

The shagreen is decorated with red stained lucky coin symbols.

Dating from the 19th century.

Condition: Very good.

Dimensions:
Handle: 10cm
Blade: 18cm
Chopsticks: 26.9cm
Case: 22.4cm
Total length: 31cm