Sword

A bone handled sword possibly used in processions.

While the sword is labeled "Chinese" it is in fact more likely of Japanese manufacture and is one of many mass produced in the late 19th and early 20th century for sale in the tourist market. Two possibilities exist as to how it came to be in the Beechworth Museum. One is that is was simply a tourist souvenir picked up by a traveler and eventually donated by a descendent on the assumption that it was Chinese. The other is that it was purchased by a member of the Chinese community in Hong Kong or similar and brought to Beechworth for use in the processions that helped contribute funds to the Beechworth Hospital.