Engraved on one side with the sabre's name, poetically termed Lianjing ('distilling the essence' or 'to refine'), along with its unique inventory number, Tianzi yi hao ('Heaven’ series, numeral one), this sabre belongs to a select group of only ninety exceptional swords created under the meticulous direction of Emperor Qianlong. Produced exclusively between 1748 and 1795 in the Palace Workshops, these sabres were categorized into three series: tian ('Heaven'), di ('Earth'), and ren ('Men'); the production process was thoroughly documented, highlighting the Emperor's active involvement in every aspect, from design to the selection of the finest materials and the poetic names that adorn each sabre. Among the group, this sabre stands out as the most significant imperial weapon of the high Qing dynasty, being the very first one ever made in the tian, di, ren series — the genesis sabre. While most of its counterparts are preserved in the Palace Museum in Beijing, this particular sabre was presumed lost to time, existing only in historical records. Its remarkable reappearance marks it as an unparalleled treasure, symbolizing a significant piece of history that embodies the pinnacle of artistry and the enduring legacy of the royal arms of the Qing dynasty.
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