A Chinese,Shang Dynasty, bronze sword, the fine blade well cast with a crisp median ridge and beveled edges tapering toward a pointed tip, the cylindrical hit encircled by two flanges with abstract scrollwork, below a wing-shaped guard decorated on either side with a stylized mythical beast mask, all above a disc-shaped pommel, one side of the of the blade with two columns of inscription, each comprising six characters. L: 19.1" (48.5cm) Provenance: Owned by Francis J. Caro, Son of Frank Caro from Frank Caro Gallery, formerly owned by C.T.Loo. Condition: Fair condition, the top tip of the blade is broken, bottom part of the handle is broken. Surface wear & corrosion duo to the expect age.