Unusual daab/darv (2)

[Iain]

A well placed question regarding the blade curvature. It is however a form I have encountered before. Both the attached pieces passed through my hands in the past and were clearly Vietnamese based on the construction, blade decoration and other elements.

Guom is a general term and there is quite some variety of types within the category.

Given the size of the piece at auction we could argue it is more of a truong dao, but regardless this blade curvature is not all that unusual.

The first image I am attaching is from a relatively short sabre I owned for a time with a pronounced 'hook' at the tip (photo is my own).

The second, a grouping of arms from the region, with the large truong dao in the middle showing a similar blade profile as the auction example (photo credit in this case goes to Mandarin Mansion although I did own this group prior).

Note the similarities in hilt components etc.

[Ian]

Iain,

Thank you again for your knowledge on these swords. Scott Rodell has noted that hilts of circular cross-section, resembling daab from Laos and Thailand, are found on southern Vietnamese swords, compared with more Chinese-styled hilts in the north of Vietnam. Given that the hilts on the sword in the original post and your two examples are round in cross-section and resemble daab somewhat, would you also place these as coming from southern Vietnam (formerly Cochin)?

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Ian

Iain,

Thank you again for your knowledge on these swords. Scott Rodell has noted that hilts of circular cross-section, resembling daab from Laos and Thailand, are found on southern Vietnamese swords, compared with more Chinese-styled hilts in the north of Vietnam. Given that the hilts on the sword in the original post and your two examples are round in cross-section and resemble daab somewhat, would you also place these as coming from southern Vietnam (formerly Cochin)?

It's certainly possible but I'd caution that I think the shape of handles alone is not a definitive regional indicator and all aspects of each piece need to be considered. For example the handle of a Cham sword that I owned and is now with a good friend was not round but was clearly from south or central Vietnam, while the second handle I am attaching is from the north (I have a clear period photo of the same type).

Just to confuse things a little more I'm adding the handle of a Laos daab that's also not round.

Finally I'd also point out that Vietnamese versions of the dadao also often use round handles, regardless of the north/south divide.