Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Ian · 5th July 2014, 12:22 AM

Hello Emanuel:

Thank you for showing this very interesting piece. I think you have a Chinese made piece somewhat in imitation of a Kachin-style sword dha.

Let's start with the hilt. This is really what gives the sword a dha-like quality: the central carved antler/bone pieces flanked by two silver ferrules. These are features seen on Burmese and Thai dha, although a single piece of ivory rather than two bone slabs would be the norm. There are several other features that are also atypical of dha.

The orientation of the hilt with a slight downward curving from guard to pommel is not typical of a dha and more suggestive of a Chinese dao. Also, the silver work is "heavier" than we usually see on dha, while the pommel plate clearly has a Chinese geometric pattern.

The carving on the antler/bone handle is interesting, showing a fawn, a heron or stork and several figures, one of whom is elderly and has a long beard, as well as vines and flowers. These carvings are not really in the traditional patterns of Burmese or Thai work, which usually focus on Buddhist or spiritual themes with heavier vegetative motifs. Again, I'm seeing a Chinese style to these carvings.

The flimsy guard is a distraction, clearly of Chinese origin, and probably added later as you suggest.

The blade is interesting, showing an upcurved cutting edge and back edge, with progressive widening from hilt to tip. The end is squared off. This is a wider blade than we see on most dha.

This blade is not typical of a Kachin-style sword dha, and again strikes me as more like a Chinese dao. The Kachin-style sword dha has a straighter blade with minimal widening from hilt to tip, and is considerably narrower than this sword.

Overall, I think you have a Chinese sword somewhat in the style of a Kachin sword dha. Since the Kachin people live in northern Burma and neighboring Yunnan, it would be logical to place this piece as coming from Yunnan.

There are others on this forum who have more knowledge of Yunnan than I do and I hope they will comment also.

Regards,

Ian.

5th July 2014, 12:22 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,031	Hello Emanuel: Thank you for showing this very interesting piece. I think you have a Chinese made piece somewhat in imitation of a Kachin-style sword dha. Let's start with the hilt. This is really what gives the sword a dha-like quality: the central carved antler/bone pieces flanked by two silver ferrules. These are features seen on Burmese and Thai dha, although a single piece of ivory rather than two bone slabs would be the norm. There are several other features that are also atypical of dha. The orientation of the hilt with a slight downward curving from guard to pommel is not typical of a dha and more suggestive of a Chinese dao. Also, the silver work is "heavier" than we usually see on dha, while the pommel plate clearly has a Chinese geometric pattern. The carving on the antler/bone handle is interesting, showing a fawn, a heron or stork and several figures, one of whom is elderly and has a long beard, as well as vines and flowers. These carvings are not really in the traditional patterns of Burmese or Thai work, which usually focus on Buddhist or spiritual themes with heavier vegetative motifs. Again, I'm seeing a Chinese style to these carvings. The flimsy guard is a distraction, clearly of Chinese origin, and probably added later as you suggest. The blade is interesting, showing an upcurved cutting edge and back edge, with progressive widening from hilt to tip. The end is squared off. This is a wider blade than we see on most dha. This blade is not typical of a Kachin-style sword dha, and again strikes me as more like a Chinese dao. The Kachin-style sword dha has a straighter blade with minimal widening from hilt to tip, and is considerably narrower than this sword. Overall, I think you have a Chinese sword somewhat in the style of a Kachin sword dha. Since the Kachin people live in northern Burma and neighboring Yunnan, it would be logical to place this piece as coming from Yunnan. There are others on this forum who have more knowledge of Yunnan than I do and I hope they will comment also. Regards, Ian. Last edited by Ian; 11th July 2014 at 07:53 AM.