Tibetan Sword

[Gavin Nugent]

Out bid at the last second, that's the name of the game, shame though, it is truely a superb piece.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290211348229

Maybe someone will be good enough to post the pictures or even know the buyer to get more images, I'm off to cry a little.

Gav

[dennee]

Gav,

I was watching that too. But I wouldn't be too disappointed. In my opinion, it went for a high price. I would guess it's a mid-twentieth-century piece, and the photos don't show the quality of the blade.

Last summer, it belonged to a member of this forum. He pointed out, after some research, that the suspension piece is a lady's chatelaine (made in eastern Tibet, I suppose), i.e., it would have hung from a Tibetan lady's belt (inverted, as the loop around the belt now holds the scabbard) and from it would have hung perhaps a trousse or knife or keys, etc. There's a piece missing from the chatelaine, a sort of hinged ring from which the the items would have hung.

A few months ago, I ran a fragment of the inscription by some Tibetans (I didn't have photos of it in its entirety), and they thought that it is not a prayer but rather a Cultural Revolution-era slogan, perhaps "Long Live Chairman Mao's Thought!" Certainly interesting if not characteristically Tibetan; perhaps the only way the owner could keep a "feudal" weapon was a communist invocation.

[dennee]

I would say that the chatelaine has some value separately, despite its not being complete. Of course, it does make the sword look more impressive.

[Gavin Nugent]

Thank you for your learned words Dennee. From the seller's estimate of 3-500USD it did go a lot higher. I am happier that I was outbid. Now that I can picture your explanation of the way it is to be suspended I am grateful.

The search continues for a fine example of a Tibetan Sword.

Many Thanks

Gav

[katana]

Certainly looks nice....

[Battara]

Yes I agree truly the real value is in the chatelaine. It is of true silver and gilding work - I have handled this before it was sold to the dealer.

[Gavin Nugent]

Thanks for your ongoing help and interest fellow collectors.

regards

Gavin

PS if there is an outstanding Tibetan sword out there that you dont want or see and there is not enough coin in your pocket at the time, please contact me as I do wish for one example in my collection.

[dennee]

Looks like "our" chatelaine made an appearance on another Tibetan weapon! This Bonham's auction closed yesterday. When the catalog came out, I emailed the specialist about the item. It seems like there were no takers.

[Gavin Nugent]

Looks like "our" chatelaine made an appearance on another Tibetan weapon! This Bonham's auction closed yesterday. When the catalog came out, I emailed the specialist about the item. It seems like there were no takers.

I too saw it Dennee, I think this was the third time I've seen it now.

Gav

[dennee]

Third time for me too, but I was surprised to see it switched onto another weapon.

[Battara]

I almost bought the piece for the chatelaine and not the sword.

[Gavin Nugent]

I almost bought the piece for the chatelaine and not the sword.
Seeing the quality I nearly did the same, it a beautiful piece of displayable art in itself much like almost anything in silver from the regions of Tibet and Bhutan.

Gav