Ritual weapon from Formosa

The blade corresponds to the rostrum of a sawfish (squalus pristis) containing 43 teeth (two missing): it is mounted on a trapezium-shaped wooden plaque covered in leather, velvet, and iron; the sleeved item that has been slipped into a double trigger ringed by a central ring, in copper and decorated with spirals; the pommel is also made from copper in the form of an acorn, ending in a teardrop shape. This unique type of sword may have been used on the island of Formosa during shamanic ceremonies.