Dagger and handle: length; 15 cm, handle width; 3.6 cm, handle thickness; 0.3 cm Hilt: length; 13 cm, bronze inlay width; 4.85 cm, thickness; 0.65 cm Total length: 16 cm

        This is an ornate and unusual knife set. The date when it was made was probably no earlier than the late Western Han, because the design and representation of the human forms on one side of the jade handle is in the late Western Han style. The coiling dragon form of the gilt bronze decoration on the hilt is also in the Han style. The dragon design on the hilt itself, however, is in the late Spring and Autumn style. Thus, the inside of an old block of jade was carved out for a new purpose. The ends of this rectangular hilt are wider than the body and similar to a jade handle discovered in Honan province. Carved on the center of the hilt are two curled-snout dragon heads back to back along with a linear pattern, which are also similar to jades unearthed from Honan and Kiangsu. Dragon designs are also found on either end of the hilt.