In six weeks' time, a vast range of top quality militaria and antiques will be offered in Germany. With 6,800 lots going under the hammer, this can only mean one thing: it's Hermann Historica's spring sale once more.

It's impossible to summarise all the materials at one time, of course, so let's begin with the highlights of the Orient and Asia.

One of the best non-militaristic highlights in the sale is that of a shouldered Chinese vase with spectacularly colourful painted courtly scenes from the late Ming dynasty or early Qing dynasty.

Regular readers will be aware of the frankly extraordinary prices many Ming and Qing vases and other porcelain antiques have been attracting on the markets in the past several years, so this will obviously be one to watch.

Chinese Shoulder Vase of the Ming or Qing dynasty

With a gilt bronze mounting added during the 19^th century, it's currently listed at €5,000.

However, it's the daggers which really stand out for us in this section. Needless to say, eyes are all likely to be fixed on any daggers of the Ottoman Empire offered by the company following its extraordinary €110,000 sale last year.

Joyfully, there is one in the sale - very different from the previous success but mesmerising in its own right: a gold-inlaid kard set with diamonds and gems from the 19^th century. This is listed at €5,000. We shall see whether that comes anywhere close to being as delightfully inaccurate as the example presented before at €4,000.

The Ottoman gold-inlaid diamond-set kard and Persian dagger

An exquisite Persian dagger of a similar type from circa 1800, which is also inlaid with gold and featuring grip panels of walrus ivory, is listed at €3,500.

A rare chance for collectors to get their hands on a fascinating example of Japanese bladesmithery is offered in the form of a tachi blade in shirasaya attributed to Musashi master Naotane Takei (1777 - 1857).

Regarded as one of the three great blacksmiths of the Shin Shinto period, his swords are always greatly coveted. A reserve of €12,000 has been set for the beautiful weapon.