My new Lao dha/daab Lan Xang kingdom

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Thank you Andrew. Have discussed the sword with a good friend who is a great expert for swords from mainland SEA, he seems to be sure that it is a 18thc sword. Second the age estimation from Ian in this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=19121 post #4. The wear of friction at the handle is a further point.

Regards,
Detlef

Detlef:

In my previous post I was not really definite about the 18th C attribution. Here is what I said in the post you quote--please note the qualifying comment at the end:

"What makes this 18th C? The main feature here is the hilt which resembles Ayutthaya hilts of that period and earlier. The slim handle with an elongated lotus bud pommel and a bell-like flaring adjacent to the blade is very reminiscent of Ayutthaya daab found in Thai museums and dated to the 17th and 18th C. This daab also has a small guard--a feature more commonly found with Lao daab than Thai swords of the 18th and 19th C. All this said, it is possible that the sword could be of later manufacture (perhaps second half of the 19th C) but in a style harking back to an earlier period."

Andrew thinks that many of these daab are likely from the late 19th C. And I must agree that although the dealers' pictures I posted in the other thread showed swords made in an older style, they could have been manufactured more recently than the style would suggest.

You mention that your friend has some experience with SE Asian swords and has examined this daab. I would like to know the additional features that he found that would indicate a blade more than 200 years old. The pictures that you show from the dealer do not persuade me that this is such an old blade, so I would like to know what he found that convinced him of its age.

Regards,

Ian.

[Sajen]

Ian:

The age guess was given with a great range and by the presumtion that the blade is old like the handle and original. The chiseled tip of the blade is typical for daab of this origin like you mentioned also. Let's wait until I have the sword in my hands and can tell you more, all can change by closer inspection. Of course I have the hope that the sword is original in all parts with a later scabbard of course.

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Since I've noticed a similar but much better and nicer example got sold recently I've remembered that I never have shown this sword after I've received it and it received some care so here you go.
84,5 cm inside scabbard
81,5 cm without
53,8 cm the blade

[Sajen]

And here, for our archives the recently sold but wrong described example. It was described as Vietnamese, possibly Sedang tribe.
In fact, to my knowledge, they come from the Attapeu province of Laos.

112 cm total
blade: 73 cm

[JeffS]

That didn't last long... beautiful sword.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by JeffS

That didn't last long... beautiful sword.

Yep, beautiful handle and scabbard and a very long blade!

[Ian]

Lovely example Detlef. Very well preserved sword and scabbard.

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Yep, beautiful handle and scabbard and a very long blade!

It's going to a good home.