What the heck is this one? ...

Tim Simmons · 9th September 2005, 04:35 PM

What an interesting piece, at first glance it looks like it is from somewhere on the Indian subcontinent. I am putting my chips on North Africa, Egypt, Sudan and there is a chance of a West African origin. Tim

fearn · 9th September 2005, 05:19 PM

I can't place it either. What it most reminds me of is a goofy modern piece I saw at a show. That "knife" (well, it had a sharpened edge on part of it) was made by a journeyman smith as a demonstration of his talents. It had curliques, spirals, and all sorts of other impracticalities, but it did demonstrate an ability to work with metal.

I wonder if the same thing is going on here. There are so many different features on this blade that it almost looks like the maker was demonstrating the breadth of his talents, rather than making a functional piece.

It could also be a fantasy piece. Where it's from, I don't know. I'd almost guess 19th/early 20th century European, simply because it's so apparently useless and so lacking in characteristic features.

Neat, though.

F

Rick · 9th September 2005, 05:21 PM

I get a kind of Euro feel from looking at it .
Satanic regalia ?

So many different design elements combined .
The work is good and crude at the same time ; what's with the portion of sawback on the blade .
The quillons look like European style work .
Hilt is bone ...

It looks like the Devil's tail .

9th September 2005, 04:35 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	What an interesting piece, at first glance it looks like it is from somewhere on the Indian subcontinent. I am putting my chips on North Africa, Egypt, Sudan and there is a chance of a West African origin. Tim

9th September 2005, 05:19 PM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	I can't place it either. What it most reminds me of is a goofy modern piece I saw at a show. That "knife" (well, it had a sharpened edge on part of it) was made by a journeyman smith as a demonstration of his talents. It had curliques, spirals, and all sorts of other impracticalities, but it did demonstrate an ability to work with metal. I wonder if the same thing is going on here. There are so many different features on this blade that it almost looks like the maker was demonstrating the breadth of his talents, rather than making a functional piece. It could also be a fantasy piece. Where it's from, I don't know. I'd almost guess 19th/early 20th century European, simply because it's so apparently useless and so lacking in characteristic features. Neat, though. F

9th September 2005, 05:21 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	I get a kind of Euro feel from looking at it . Satanic regalia ? So many different design elements combined . The work is good and crude at the same time ; what's with the portion of sawback on the blade . The quillons look like European style work . Hilt is bone ... It looks like the Devil's tail .