Fine and Large Chinese Eating Set (Trousse) Knife Chopsticks

The origin of the trousse known as “Chinese eating set” is most probably Manchuria, and it penetrated the Chinese world with the reign of the Manchu Qing dynasty. As from the 18C. and on, similar sets spread all over the area under Chinese influence from Tibet to Mongolia . We have seen similar sets also in Japan and Korea.

The Chinese eating set comprises a knife and chopsticks and sometimes small accessories as toothpicks tongue scraper, tweezers, ear cleaners and similar small items. A variety of materials and decoration were used in the various trousses including wood, ivory, stones, Bamboo and many others.

The fine exemplar offered here is Chinese considerably larger than the common sets. A well forged steel blade with ridged spine and finely engraved. Green dyed handle and scabbard with large steel mounts decorated with brass inlay pattern. Pair of large bone chopstick with silver caps.

Blade 11 1/2 inches, total length 18 1/2 inches. To emphasize the dimensions it is shown below next to a common 12 inches long set. Very good condition.