Dha from Bassein

[kronckew]

The peacock on my sword has the same lettering arched above the head as the royal seal of the Konbaung royal era 1752–1885, I'd thus guess mine was made sometime in that area of time.


Kubur, does yours have a peacock? It's not evident in the photos. If it does, is the lettering similar? Without the peacock, I'd suspect it was somewhat newer.

[Kubur]

Ah now I’m laughing. We have similar swords from the end of the 19th c. or from the end of the 20th c.

Not laughing at you Kronkew, and I like your sword as I like mine, and I don’t care if my sword is mid 20th c. But it is important for all the forum members to take what is written here (on this forum) as opinions and just opinions, from collectors and dealers. There is no self-proclaimed experts. Ariel wrote something very right in another thread, I’ll probably quote him about the takouba that I posted one day.

Originally Posted by kronckew

The peacock on my sword has the same lettering arched above the head as the royal seal of the Konbaung royal era 1752–1885, I'd thus guess mine was made sometime in that area of time.

Kubur, does yours have a peacock? It's not evident in the photos. If it does, is the lettering similar? Without the peacock, I'd suspect it was somewhat newer.

Are you sure, do you have the translation for both inscriptions?

How do you know that the inscription is original from the 19thc. and not memorabilia? I haven’t seen any date mentioned in the post related to your sword.

I sincerely will be very happy if you were right, it will mean that the other assessments about 20th C. were wrong and just based on “feelings”.

I also liked the discussion from Peter about suspension rings and shows that “we” have a lot of cliches in mind.

My sword has no peacock, but it doesn’t mean anything, just the decoration on the grip is different.

But the same hilt, I think - like Ian - that is extremely clear and obvious.

I had the feeling that my sword was 20th c., early 1920-30. Then after Ian /Peter comments I was convinced that my sword was from mid 20thc. Pre 1948.

But after Peter comments (on suspension), I started to think, oh well maybe this sword is old after all…

Now I think that our swords are probably 1920-1950ties.

[kronckew]

I conclude that our swords are both 20th Century, and both likely from the same area, if not the same bladesmithy.

I gather my sword scabbard is probably inter-war - between WWI and WWII, ie. 1930's, as is the sword, even considering the use of the peacock - which was probably copied up to the end in 1978 on these type.

The 'silver' metal on both swords is probably a lower grade silver alloy, and the central part the local version of bronze.

I also have found that the fancy Dhas/Daab are often given for wedding wear by the groom, and then hung in their silver alloy scabbards on the wall, like temple dha, and much like brides save their wedding dresses. The suspension on yours is the norm for a wedding dha.

Your blade is likely post WWII and is a proper fighting blade like mine, just a bit more modern and more decorated. 1950's IS likely. I suspect the custom of hanging on the wall is also justincase they need a bit of home defence - as is still common in more remote and wilder areas.

And wedding dhas are still sold there. Just not as high a quality as yours.

The inscriptions on the grip near the blade junction are still a mystery tho, which hopefully we will be given an answer in future.

[Ian]

Hi Wayne,

Well said. The suspension system is intended for hanging on a wall as you noted, despite some older, high quality examples showing a similar suspension system. Those older dha were probably presentation/ceremonial items also, not designed for wearing but for show. The so-called "temple dha" of the 20th C likely served much the same function (at lower cost). Both your example and Kubur's are at the higher end of swords made in the last 50-60 years for these purposes.

The replacement of the traditional baldric with one or two metal rings is a strong clue to their decorative purposes.

[Kubur]

Well, I stay on mine, 1930-1948, until the inscriptions are translated.

I let the discussion about suspensions and baldric to Peter and Iain.

http://www.swordforum.com/vb4/showth...84-Burmese-Dha

Thank you all for your opinions, all the information and the interesting discussion!

Kind regards
Kubur

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Kubur

Well, I stay on mine, 1930-1948, until the inscriptions are translated.

I let the discussion about suspensions and baldric to Peter and Iain.

http://www.swordforum.com/vb4/showth...84-Burmese-Dha

Thank you all for your opinions, all the information and the interesting discussion!

Kind regards
Kubur

The inscription above the peacock simply says "Burma peacock King."

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by Iain

The inscription above the peacock simply says "Burma peacock King."

Cool, thanks Iain, and thanks to all. Trophies all around.