Omani dagger? Filipino knife? and ivory hilt dha

[Sajen]

And it's called sewar!

[phil.reid]

Awesome,sorry i did know this but full of flu and brains foggy, have a german sword with the same style handle, thinking it belonged to a british officer who served there pre offical officers sword pattern and had his sword mounted with malay carved handle, ill try to post photos soon. What are the blades carved from??

[Sajen]

The blades are forged from fine laminated steel. Attached a picture from the blade of one from my examples.

[gp]

End right side is indeed a Burmese dha from around 1850-1880 which I believe to be a silver scabbard with filigree silver decoration. I had 2 similar ones which I sold recently.
Condition is reasonably well for its age but would recommend some cleaning of blade ( specially where it joins the handle/grip to avoid corrosion) grip and scabbard.
Nice to have the cord, which seems original, with it as they often go missing.

[phil.reid]

Originally Posted by Sajen

And it's called sewar!

what are the handles carved from?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by phil.reid

what are the handles carved from?

Yours is carved from water buffalo horn but wood and ivory is also common by sewars. Scabbard throat and foot are as well from this horn by your example.

[Sajen]

My honest collection of sewars.

[phil.reid]

Originally Posted by Sajen

My honest collection of sewars.

Beautiful collection. Thankyou for sharing and for your knowledge

[Ian]

Hi Phil,

I agree that your dha knife is a nice old one from mid-to late-19th C. The silver covered scabbard is typical Shan work, with a flat toe, filigree bands that segment the presentation and filigree wire work in these segmented panels.

Knives such as these were often decorative or status symbols, and Shan men wore them as part of their attire when they got married. As a result, they are fairly common. Your example is better than average with a nice intact ivory hilt.

Not only the blade needs a clean. You should give the filigree work a bit of gentle cleaning to remove some of the old polishing compound. A soft tooth brush, some warm soapy water, and patience are needed--the filigree work can be delicate and a bit fragile, so take it slow and easy.

Very nice knife for a flea market pick up. You will see online what selling prices are being asked for these knives now. I suspect you got a good deal at the flea market

[TVV]

The jambiya is an assib jambiya from Yemen.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Sajen

My honest collection of sewars.

Nice array Detlef.

Would several of these not be classified as Tumbok Lada based on the betal nut crusher hulu type?

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by Gavin Nugent

Nice array Detlef.

Would several of these not be classified as Tumbok Lada based on the betal nut crusher hulu type?

While quite similar to many sewars, "tumbuk lada" have considerably chubbier hilts, made usually from ivory and also display some more subtle differences in terms of construction of front bolster and scabbard.

However, since the demarcation line between a tumbuk lada and a sewar is rather fuzzy, there is much confusion between them.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

While quite similar to many sewars, "tumbuk lada" have considerably chubbier hilts, made usually from ivory and also display some more subtle differences in terms of construction of front bolster and scabbard.

However, since the demarcation line between a tumbuk lada and a sewar is rather fuzzy, there is much confusion between them.

My understanding from Malaysian colleagues is that it is purely the hulu shape that is the defining factor vs regional or status material flair.

Do you not consider 4 of Detlef's as Pepper Crusher hulu? I'd certainly consider #3 & 4 in this this image as Tumbuk Lada.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...0Tumbuk%20Lada.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Gavin Nugent

Nice array Detlef.

Would several of these not be classified as Tumbok Lada based on the betal nut crusher hulu type?

Hi Gav,

I like to go with Albert G. van Zonneveld like Marius write before to distinguish between these both types of daggers. But like you write are called sewars with these "pepper crusher" handles by collectors and also people in Indonesia and Malaysia tumbok lada. It's just a name game.

Regards,
Detlef

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hi Gav,

I like to go with Albert G. van Zonneveld like Marius write before to distinguish between these both types of daggers. But like you write are called sewars with these "pepper crusher" handles by collectors and also people in Indonesia and Malaysia tumbok lada. It's just a name game.

Regards,
Detlef

I think the other thing to consider here Detlef is, although referenced, the Malay states were not part of the work covered by Albert. Perhaps Albert may pursue these regions at a later date if another life time is available to him... he has quite the publication achievement already.

I personally prefer to rely on key sources like Gardner and those who are culturally Malaysian.

[David]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Yours is carved from water buffalo horn but wood and ivory is also common by sewars. Scabbard throat and foot are as well from this horn by your example.

Phil, Detlef does show an example like this in his grouping but does not mention that hilts covered in silver are also common for sewar.
And i do agree that there is some room for debate as to the proper name (sewar vs tumbuk lada) on this form. Sometimes it really does depend upon who you ask and where exactly they are from. These really fat and cylindrical hilts that are usually ivory are probably best referred to as tumbuk lada, but the line can be fuzzy for some examples. I would definitely call your example a sewar.
Here is my silver sewar example. The sheath is horn.
Can you show us some better photos of the blade. Kai seems to believe yours has been badly sharpened, but frankly, while i can see what might make him suspect that, your images aren't detailed enough to show whether that is an over sharpened edge or merely the affects of light reflecting off the blade. Try to photograph it in natural, even light so that it doesn't glint off the blade.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by David

Phil, Detlef does show an example like this in his grouping but does not mention that hilts covered in silver are also common for sewar.

Yep, David is correct, I forgot to mention. My one has a cap from gold filigree with a blue glass stone (I guess).
And yes, I would call your dagger a sewar.

Regards,
Detlef

[phil.reid]

Originally Posted by David

Phil, Detlef does show an example like this in his grouping but does not mention that hilts covered in silver are also common for sewar.
And i do agree that there is some room for debate as to the proper name (sewar vs tumbuk lada) on this form. Sometimes it really does depend upon who you ask and where exactly they are from. These really fat and cylindrical hilts that are usually ivory are probably best referred to as tumbuk lada, but the line can be fuzzy for some examples. I would definitely call your example a sewar.
Here is my silver sewar example. The sheath is horn.
Can you show us some better photos of the blade. Kai seems to believe yours has been badly sharpened, but frankly, while i can see what might make him suspect that, your images aren't detailed enough to show whether that is an over sharpened edge or merely the affects of light reflecting off the blade. Try to photograph it in natural, even light so that it doesn't glint off the blade.

Hopefully better blade pics

[Sajen]

The blade looks ok to my eyes!

[kai]

And it's called sewar!

Thanks for coming to the rescue, Detlef!

Yes, sewar seems to enjoy the most widespread usage (despite some transliteration differences including from different Malay languages/dialects).

Regards,
Kai