Help ID modern Dha(?) with carved ivory handle

[bernard_levine]

Hello folks

"Newbie" here. (New here, anyway).

I've been asked to ID and maybe even appraise this evidently well made but oddly impractical seeming knife.
It appears to be a recent souvenir, but of high quality. It has lost its scabbard.

The owner tested the blade with a magnet, and it did not stick.
He suspects it is bronze, or perhaps patinated brass.
I don't know.

http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine5/ivory&bronze01.jpg

http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine5/ivory&bronze02.jpg

http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine5/ivory&bronze03.jpg http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine5/ivory&bronze05.jpg

http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine5/ivory&bronze04.jpg



I asked a collector of Javanese and Malayan edged weapons,
and he said it is probably not from there.
He said Burma might be a possibility, as the ferrule shape is reminiscent of a Dha,
and there is quite a bit of commercial ivory carving done in Burma now.

For example see picture 33 here.

http://www.asianart.com/articles/ivory/index.html

* * *

So... do you recognize it? Seen something similar on your travels? Have a guesstimate of value?

Thanks! :)

BRL...

www.knife-expert.com

[Ian]

Hi Bernard:

Welcome to the Forum. As a matter of forum policy we do not provide financial appraisals on line but many of our members do talk about this via PM or email. I will send you a PM shortly with what I think this knife may be worth today.

It is a typical Burmese knife or small dha. The hilt is characteristically Burmese in its ferrule and the ivory (?) carving. I always query "ivory" on recently made pieces, as this one appears to be, because there is so much immitation ivory around.

That said, it is a nicely made knife in the traditional style. Is there a sheath?

Will be in touch later today.

Regards,

Ian Greaves.

[Lew]

Ian

I agree with you on the hilt being recently made but it is possible the blade could be older it's hard to tell from the photo. Can we define recently made? Does this mean 2000-present or 1980- present?


Lew

[bernard_levine]

Thanks guys.

No scabbard with it.

I can't be certain if it is real ivory, having only seen the photos.

Could the blade be brass??? Seems odd. Although I have seen lots of those Thai souvenir folding knives with bright brass blades. Much easier to work than steel, and does not rust!

BRL...

[Lew]

Bernard

I have adjusted the photo and it looks like rust to me so the blade is steel and not brass.


Lew

[Andrew]

Bernard, thank you for sharing that ivory carving article!

[spiral]

Bernard

I have adjusted the photo and it looks like rust to me so the blade is steel and not brass.


Lew


Louie, Bernards 4th sentace is "The owner tested the blade with a magnet, and it did not stick. "

So rusty steel seems unlikley?


Spiral

[Lew]

Louie, Bernards 4th sentace is "The owner tested the blade with a magnet, and it did not stick. "

So rusty steel seems unlikley?


Spiral

Sorry

I missed that :o That is what I get for replying to posts when I am still half asleep ;)

Lew

[Rich]

Hmmmm, I was sure it was a brass Thai bowie knife :-)

(sorry, private joke)

Rich S
(the sharp, pointy thing non-expert)

[Ian]

Can we define recently made? Does this mean 2000-present or 1980- present?


LewSecond half of 20th C. -- probably post 1980 -- would be my guess, but soooo hard to tell without direct examination, and even then it is not easy to be more specific.

Ia.