Tibet or Bhutan.
 

For me, there has been a dry spell of Moro Sandata here in Seattle, but I managed to snag this one, which I believe to be from Tibet.

Leather and copper sheet over a wooden scabbard, ray skin gripping area, sign of hairpin forging pattern on the blade. Comments?

Bhutan.

Bhutan gets my vote, too

Bhutan

Its beautiful. The daubs of red paint around the bands of the handle are interesting, as this same red is found on Kachin dha (and I've seen it on a couple Bama/Shan style dha as well). Read somewhere about the significance of the red color, but can't for the life of me remember what it was. :o
On this one you cannot see the jaw bone tied to the should strap (behind the scabbard), but it is painted red like the grip.
http://www.arscives.com/historysteel.../230-mib26.jpg
http://www.dharesearch.bowditch.us/Images/Image148.jpg
http://www.dharesearch.bowditch.us/Images/Image21.jpg

Bhutan!

Very nice! A man cannot live by Moro alone! ;) :)

Lew

Bhutan it is then. I looked at Oriental Arms Sold items, and saw others attributed to Bhutan.




LOL!

Anybody recall a discussion on the use of the color red on weapons some years ago? I think we determined that there were enough instances in varying cultures that might suggest symbolic purpose. It seems that in Africa, the Maasai scabbards on the seme' are often colored red, and if I am not mistaken I have seen traces of red on some kaskara.

I did not mean to derail the discussion here on Kino's very nice Bhutanese 'snag'!!! (nicely done Kino!!:) but Mark's post of the beautiful examples with prominant red decor and note compelled me :)

All best regards,
Jim