Dha handle from Leeds armoury

B.I · 29th May 2005, 04:33 PM

hi ian,
unfortunately, i actually use photoshop for a living and the image i sent had been lightened and sharpened. i am more than happy to send it to you to try, but it was vey low resolution to start with, as it was cropped from a larger image. i hadnt intended to photograph the description, but had accidently included it in a larger shot.

Ian · 29th May 2005, 04:46 PM

B.I.: As you have already tried Photoshop, I doubt that I could decipher anything more.

I have taken to writing down the descriptions on cards in museums because cameras are usually not allowed. Takes longer, but I don't lose data on names, origins, lengths, etc.

BTW, I am pleasantly surprised that at least some British museums permit photography of their collections by the public. Is this common? In the US and Asia, it is almost always forbidden to photograph items on display.

Ian.

B.I · 29th May 2005, 04:54 PM

hi ian,
yes, we are very lucky. the only museum that doesnt is the wallace collection, as its not really a museum, more a private collection now owned by the country.
when i was in venice, not a single museum allowed photography but i managed to photograph everything to my taste. i got 'quick on the draw' due to enthusiastic guards, but this didnt allow much time to focus.
the BM/V&A/armouries allow cameras. windsor doesnt which is a crying shame. powis doesnt either, and neither does keddleston.

ariel · 1st June 2005, 07:38 PM

Archer asked me to post these images: a short Dha (a knife, actually) with the handle remarkably similar to the one from Leeds.
Judge for yourself.
Archer, thanks for the info!

Andrew · 2nd June 2005, 02:34 AM

Yup: looks like the same little guy to me.

Nice grab, Archer. I was really looking at this one, and decided not to bid. I now regret that decision.

Ariel, I still think the carved handle in the Leeds' collection is too small for the sword it's mounted on. I submit it's a remount from a dagger similar to Archer's. Many thanks for starting this thread, as I must have missed the first one.

I'm off to do some research....

VANDOO · 2nd June 2005, 04:11 AM

I REMEMBER SEEING SOMETHING ON THESE KNIVES THEY WERE REFERED TO AS PRIESTS KNIVES AND SOME HAD VERY WELL CARVED IVORY HANDLES AND SOME WERE PLAIN. THEY WERE ALL DAGGER SIZE AND THE HANDLES WERE IN PROPER PROPORTION, WISH I COULD REMEMBER IF IT WAS IN FORUM POSTS OR ELSEWHERE

I MAY HAVE SOME PICTURES SOMEWHERE IF I RUN ACROSS THEM I WILL PUT THEM IN.

Mark · 2nd June 2005, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

I REMEMBER SEEING SOMETHING ON THESE KNIVES THEY WERE REFERED TO AS PRIESTS KNIVES AND SOME HAD VERY WELL CARVED IVORY HANDLES AND SOME WERE PLAIN. THEY WERE ALL DAGGER SIZE AND THE HANDLES WERE IN PROPER PROPORTION, WISH I COULD REMEMBER IF IT WAS IN FORUM POSTS OR ELSEWHERE

I MAY HAVE SOME PICTURES SOMEWHERE IF I RUN ACROSS THEM I WILL PUT THEM IN.

Good call, Barry. Archer's knife is what I would call a priest knife, which I theorize is actually as much related to the piha kaetta as to the dha. I agree with Andrew that the handle on the Leeds dha is likely a transplant from a knife.

1st June 2005, 07:38 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Archer asked me to post these images: a short Dha (a knife, actually) with the handle remarkably similar to the one from Leeds. Judge for yourself. Archer, thanks for the info! Attached Images

29th May 2005, 04:33 PM	#1
B.I Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 485	hi ian, unfortunately, i actually use photoshop for a living and the image i sent had been lightened and sharpened. i am more than happy to send it to you to try, but it was vey low resolution to start with, as it was cropped from a larger image. i hadnt intended to photograph the description, but had accidently included it in a larger shot.

29th May 2005, 04:46 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,401	B.I.: As you have already tried Photoshop, I doubt that I could decipher anything more. I have taken to writing down the descriptions on cards in museums because cameras are usually not allowed. Takes longer, but I don't lose data on names, origins, lengths, etc. BTW, I am pleasantly surprised that at least some British museums permit photography of their collections by the public. Is this common? In the US and Asia, it is almost always forbidden to photograph items on display. Ian.

29th May 2005, 04:54 PM	#3
B.I Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 485	hi ian, yes, we are very lucky. the only museum that doesnt is the wallace collection, as its not really a museum, more a private collection now owned by the country. when i was in venice, not a single museum allowed photography but i managed to photograph everything to my taste. i got 'quick on the draw' due to enthusiastic guards, but this didnt allow much time to focus. the BM/V&A/armouries allow cameras. windsor doesnt which is a crying shame. powis doesnt either, and neither does keddleston.

2nd June 2005, 02:34 AM	#5
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Yup: looks like the same little guy to me. Nice grab, Archer. I was really looking at this one, and decided not to bid. I now regret that decision. Ariel, I still think the carved handle in the Leeds' collection is too small for the sword it's mounted on. I submit it's a remount from a dagger similar to Archer's. Many thanks for starting this thread, as I must have missed the first one. I'm off to do some research....

2nd June 2005, 04:11 AM	#6
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I REMEMBER SEEING SOMETHING ON THESE KNIVES THEY WERE REFERED TO AS PRIESTS KNIVES AND SOME HAD VERY WELL CARVED IVORY HANDLES AND SOME WERE PLAIN. THEY WERE ALL DAGGER SIZE AND THE HANDLES WERE IN PROPER PROPORTION, WISH I COULD REMEMBER IF IT WAS IN FORUM POSTS OR ELSEWHERE I MAY HAVE SOME PICTURES SOMEWHERE IF I RUN ACROSS THEM I WILL PUT THEM IN.