Expensive tourist flyssa - Asian handle combo

David · 12th December 2008, 02:33 PM

The figure at the top of the hilt looks like Hanuman (the tail has broken off) and i would hazard a guess that it comes from Indonesia, possibly Bali. Can't say how it ended up on this blade though.

DhaDha · 12th December 2008, 04:34 PM

Cool. I can't say for sure but I think I've seen an old sword from Vietnam that was similar in shape. Trying to look for the reference...
Shawn

Tim Simmons · 12th December 2008, 06:35 PM

Does not look right to me. I think the handle is not old 1930s? oldest. Could be a parasol handle? What bothers me is lots of pics but none of the join. The blade does look north African. Do not take my word I am bitter and twisted

katana · 12th December 2008, 06:58 PM

I am extremely suspicious of this piece, to me , the blade seems to be North African. I believe that this was a marriage of blade and hilt for the purpose of monetary gain. To me, the handle seems artificially aged and the 'wear' points (rubbing) seem inconsistent with actual handling. Where Hanuman's tail has broken off, the 'fracture sites' are clean right up to the edges, surely bone etc as it ages also starts to discolour slightly below the surface 'skin'...meaning that the 'fracture sites' would be edged with some discolouration. I hope I am wrong, for the buyer's sake ...but could the handle possibly be resin

Regards David

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Tim Simmons · 12th December 2008, 07:02 PM

David I thought the handle was bone. looking at the broken parts you may have a point. The brakes do look awfully fresh.

Emanuel · 12th December 2008, 07:03 PM

There's no question that this is a North African blade. It comes from a small flyssa of a type whose manufacture began in the latter part of the 19th century and took off in the early 20th. This type of blade is the precursor to the thin "wedding nimcha" blades, just compare the decorative "scratches".

Tim Simmons · 12th December 2008, 07:07 PM

Yes lets be shockingly honest its crap.

katana · 12th December 2008, 07:18 PM

Could the blade be from a Shula ??

Bill M · 12th December 2008, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Yes lets be shockingly honest it's crap.

Tim,

RIGHT ON! Absolute crap!

12th December 2008, 06:58 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I am extremely suspicious of this piece, to me , the blade seems to be North African. I believe that this was a marriage of blade and hilt for the purpose of monetary gain. To me, the handle seems artificially aged and the 'wear' points (rubbing) seem inconsistent with actual handling. Where Hanuman's tail has broken off, the 'fracture sites' are clean right up to the edges, surely bone etc as it ages also starts to discolour slightly below the surface 'skin'...meaning that the 'fracture sites' would be edged with some discolouration. I hope I am wrong, for the buyer's sake ...but could the handle possibly be resin Regards David . Attached Images

12th December 2008, 02:33 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	The figure at the top of the hilt looks like Hanuman (the tail has broken off) and i would hazard a guess that it comes from Indonesia, possibly Bali. Can't say how it ended up on this blade though.

12th December 2008, 04:34 PM	#2
DhaDha Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 178	Cool. I can't say for sure but I think I've seen an old sword from Vietnam that was similar in shape. Trying to look for the reference... Shawn

12th December 2008, 06:35 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Does not look right to me. I think the handle is not old 1930s? oldest. Could be a parasol handle? What bothers me is lots of pics but none of the join. The blade does look north African. Do not take my word I am bitter and twisted

12th December 2008, 07:02 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	David I thought the handle was bone. looking at the broken parts you may have a point. The brakes do look awfully fresh.

12th December 2008, 07:03 PM	#6
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	There's no question that this is a North African blade. It comes from a small flyssa of a type whose manufacture began in the latter part of the 19th century and took off in the early 20th. This type of blade is the precursor to the thin "wedding nimcha" blades, just compare the decorative "scratches".

12th December 2008, 07:07 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Yes lets be shockingly honest its crap.

12th December 2008, 07:18 PM	#8
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Could the blade be from a Shula ??