The grip is cast bronze, decorated with small beads, and without collar rings. The pommel is ovular. The guard is broad and long, decorated with a diaper pattern. From the two sides of the guard protrude a number of rings and thorns. The body of the blade is made of iron and embedded into the bronze grip. The blade has become slightly curved, and tapering to a pointed tip.

The gold sheath is decorated with high-relief pattern. The décor is divided into three registers: near the grip a bovine decoration framed with bead pattern, the middle register is a set of three rectangular plates, and the tip is decorated with seven beads arranged in a snake form, bordered with bead pattern. Originally the gold covered a wooden sheath (Impressions of the original wooden sheath can still be seen on the blade). The sheath has a bronze tip.

The shape, decoration, and size of this sword are very similar to a sword excavated from Shizhaishan tomb no. 6, Jinning, Yunnan, in 1956. However, the latter has greatly deteriorated and the sheath is damaged. Bronze, gold and iron are brought together in the present sword, reflecting the superiority of the Dian People’s craftsmanship and decorative arts. This is a truly unique artifact which possibly belonged to a Dian king or nobleman.