|
19th August 2023, 08:22 AM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,228
|
Melayu
Hello Phil,
the smaller knife is from the coastal Malay populations of the Malacca Straits: Usually attributed to eastern Sumatra but could be just as well from the western Malay Peninsula. Good quality carvings and complete; the blade seems to have been resharpened by an overzealous dealer/collector. Regards, Kai |
19th August 2023, 10:26 AM | #2 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,574
|
And it's called sewar!
|
19th August 2023, 11:41 AM | #3 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 60
|
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??
|
19th August 2023, 12:02 PM | #4 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,574
|
The blades are forged from fine laminated steel. Attached a picture from the blade of one from my examples.
|
19th August 2023, 12:12 PM | #5 |
Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 668
|
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. |
19th August 2023, 12:16 PM | #6 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 60
|
|
19th August 2023, 12:21 PM | #7 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,574
|
|
19th August 2023, 12:27 PM | #8 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,574
|
My honest collection of sewars.
|
19th August 2023, 12:48 PM | #9 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 60
|
|
19th August 2023, 02:43 PM | #10 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,051
|
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 |
20th August 2023, 09:32 AM | #11 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
|
|
20th August 2023, 09:58 AM | #12 | |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Austria
Posts: 1,882
|
Quote:
However, since the demarcation line between a tumbuk lada and a sewar is rather fuzzy, there is much confusion between them. |
|
21st August 2023, 10:19 AM | #13 | |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,574
|
Quote:
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 |
|
21st August 2023, 03:58 PM | #14 | |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,047
|
Quote:
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. |
|
21st August 2023, 06:38 PM | #15 | |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,574
|
Quote:
And yes, I would call your dagger a sewar. Regards, Detlef |
|
22nd August 2023, 06:27 AM | #16 | |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 60
|
Quote:
|
|
22nd August 2023, 05:35 PM | #17 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,574
|
The blade looks ok to my eyes!
|
23rd August 2023, 11:15 PM | #18 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,228
|
Quote:
Yes, sewar seems to enjoy the most widespread usage (despite some transliteration differences including from different Malay languages/dialects). Regards, Kai |
|
20th August 2023, 09:30 AM | #19 | |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
|
Quote:
|
|
23rd August 2023, 11:19 PM | #20 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,228
|
Hello Gavin,
Quote:
In the originating culture, a rusty blade would have been cleaned with mild acid and only gently re-polished if at all. Regards, Kai |
|
24th August 2023, 12:27 AM | #21 | |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,574
|
Quote:
Yes, the edge towards the tip is wrongly reshaped and someone tried to take out the pitting. But it's still in an acceptable condition IMVHO. And you could be correct that it was a collector or dealer. Regards, Detlef |
|
|
|