Chinese Eating Set (Trousse) Knife and Chopsticks

A Chinese eating set (trousse), comprising a knife and chopsticks. This type of sets was very common in china and in all the countries under the Chinese influence from Tibet to Mongolia. It was part of a man formal dress up to the turn of the 20th century and usually accompanied with a variety of accessories like pickle spear, toothpicks, tweezers and the like. Similar sets are found in various sizes and quality.

The trousse offered here is of a classical form with a well forged blade of laminar construction and heat hardened edge. A forge welded decoration is inserted onto the blade spine. Bone  grips.  Scabbard is wood covered with black Sting Ray skin, chased brass locket and bone tip. An additional compartments includes set of three ebony chopsticks and three bone toothpicks.

Blade 6 1/2 inches (16 cm). Total length 13 inches (33 cm). Very good condition.

For more information on these Chinese trousses see: Arts of Asia, Nov-Dec 1990, pages 156-159