Chinese Maritime Customs small-sword. Owned by Sir Frederick Williams Maze, Inspector General of Chinese Maritime Customs (1874-1959). The hilt is gilded brass. The urn-shaped pommel is ornate and embossed with leaves in a wreath with a flower in the centre. There is a pronounced and ornate tang button. The gilt, decorated knuckle bow ends in an upturned quillon with acanthus leaf-shaped finial. The mother-of-pearl grip has a gilt back-piece decorated with leaves and flowers. The oval, leaf-shaped shell is embossed with leaf decoration and a wreath in the centre, and the gilt ferrule is decorated with leaves. Th blade is straight with a diamond section tapering to a symmetrical point. The scabbard is black leather with a gilt top locket with frog stud to accommodate sword belt, a gilt chape decorated on obverse with leaves and ? berries, and an ornamented shoe. There is a black silk and felt sword belt. Inscribed on the reverse shoulder of the blade is a crown? over 'D'.

Presented with: 1) folding cocked hat edged with marabou feathers and with blue and white cockade; 2) full dress tail coat by Hill Bros, London 1937; 3) full dress trousers (uniform of Inspector General of Chinese Maritime Customs). Also papers, memoirs and photographs 1911-1950s Ref. No. MS79/165. Sir Frederick Maze gave a collection of model boats to the Science Museum - The Maze Collection.