Chinese trousse eating set with chopsticks and knife constructed. Probably the second half of the 19th century. The set consists of a steel knife with a bamboo handle, two bamboo chopsticks and a black leather sheath. The knife and scabbard are decorated with traditional Chinese chasing ornaments. Sets with a knife and chopsticks -and sometimes some other utensils- were common all over the Qing empire. The various cultures that coexisted within this realm gave their own twist to the design. Under the Qianlong emperor, the wearing of these sets became mandatory for all Manchus and Mongols. The rationale was that these knives facilitated the traditional outdoor style of meat eating, cutting it straight from the bone. This was in contrast to the Chinese method of eating, where the food was pre-cut into bite-sized pieces that could be eaten with chopsticks. In an attempt to preserve the rough outdoor nature of the Manchu and Mongol lifestyles under the Qing, it became illegal for them to have their meat pre-cut. And so, all Manchus and Mongols were required to wear these sets to eat their meat in a traditional way. Dimensions: L: 9 13/16 in., (25 cm.) Very Good, some rust and tarnish on metal parts