Edged weapons from the East continue to feature regularly among the top lots in auctions across the world. Awareness of the rich array of culturally-significant weapons to be found in Western collections has grown as internet technology reaches a new international audience.
By no means all these exotic blades raise large sums, but each season brings a few choice pieces that reach eye-catching prices.
The five lots shown here originate from different corners of the Eastern hemisphere but all are distinguished by their quality and provenance.