Need help by identification of a knife

Henk · 29th December 2007, 09:00 AM

Rob,

According to your comment this knife could also have a Greek or Turkish origin. Or is it possible that in the neighbourhood of India, as earlier mentioned, this Greek mythology was engraved on the knive?

RobT · 29th December 2007, 04:36 PM

Hi Henk,
Indeed the knife itself could have a Turkish origin but I think it unlikely that a Muslim Turk would have adorned it with a representational engraving let alone one taken from Greek Mythology. It is possible that a person of Greek origin living in Turkey (or in Greece for that matter) had the engraving done but that would be a case of a westerner using a motif from his western heritage. While it is true that certain aspects of the Greek aesthetic were carried into India with the conquests of Alexander, that was a long time ago. Your blade can't date to that period and I have been led to understand that the Greek influence in the subcontinent was short lived with only surviving antiquities to attest to its presence. Given this, I would consider it unlikely that an Indian living in the 18th or 19th century would have chosen a minor character from Greek mythology as a subject for engraving. All this having been said however, the blade does have a non-western look about it and I think inglered's proposal that this is a European trade (rehilted to local taste) the most likely.
Sincerely,
RobT

Henk · 30th December 2007, 10:07 AM

Hi Rob,

Your answer makes sense. A Muslim certainly wouldn't engrave this picture on the blade. For the moment I will consider this blade as a european trading blade.

Thanks, Henk

inveterate · 30th December 2007, 11:43 AM

Dont wish to confuse the issue with anything non factual, but seem to recall seeing something similiar that came from Cyprus, the old brains a bit fogged on it and I cant recall where I saw it. Rod

Henk · 30th December 2007, 11:56 AM

Rod,

You certainly don't confuse the issue. Cyprus (Greece), was mentioned as a place of origin. Any help is welcome to identify this knife.

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29th December 2007, 09:00 AM	#1
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Rob, According to your comment this knife could also have a Greek or Turkish origin. Or is it possible that in the neighbourhood of India, as earlier mentioned, this Greek mythology was engraved on the knive?

29th December 2007, 04:36 PM	#2
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 552	Hi Henk, Indeed the knife itself could have a Turkish origin but I think it unlikely that a Muslim Turk would have adorned it with a representational engraving let alone one taken from Greek Mythology. It is possible that a person of Greek origin living in Turkey (or in Greece for that matter) had the engraving done but that would be a case of a westerner using a motif from his western heritage. While it is true that certain aspects of the Greek aesthetic were carried into India with the conquests of Alexander, that was a long time ago. Your blade can't date to that period and I have been led to understand that the Greek influence in the subcontinent was short lived with only surviving antiquities to attest to its presence. Given this, I would consider it unlikely that an Indian living in the 18th or 19th century would have chosen a minor character from Greek mythology as a subject for engraving. All this having been said however, the blade does have a non-western look about it and I think inglered's proposal that this is a European trade (rehilted to local taste) the most likely. Sincerely, RobT

30th December 2007, 10:07 AM	#3
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Hi Rob, Your answer makes sense. A Muslim certainly wouldn't engrave this picture on the blade. For the moment I will consider this blade as a european trading blade. Thanks, Henk

30th December 2007, 11:43 AM	#4
inveterate Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 58	Dont wish to confuse the issue with anything non factual, but seem to recall seeing something similiar that came from Cyprus, the old brains a bit fogged on it and I cant recall where I saw it. Rod

30th December 2007, 11:56 AM	#5
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Rod, You certainly don't confuse the issue. Cyprus (Greece), was mentioned as a place of origin. Any help is welcome to identify this knife.