Archaic Chinese character Ming // 匕行 “Bi Xing”. 140mm, 16.44 grams. Hartill 4.60 var (different calligraphy).

Very high quality example with original green patina, intact and attractive. The inscription is unrecorded for these knives (Ming knives with 匕 (“bi”) and with 行 “Xing” are known, but not with the two characters written together. The meaning of this legend is unknown. It might have been the name of a town where these were cast, or a furnace designation.

From an old US collection (Norman Frank Collection); Ex-CNG.