[Iain]

Returning to the piece I started the thread with, I think it is first beneficial to show that it is clearly a sword from Laos. In the attached image you can see the blade shape, proportions and decorative elements on the blade conform closely to Vientiane and Isan region daab I have posed it with. While the top sword is somewhat older it clearly shows they are of the same family and follow a similar design philosophy and geometry for the blade.

Turning to the handle, the animal seen on the pommel and which is key to the entire design of this sword, is a creature known as a Mucha Wan. This originates from the legendary Himmapan (or Himavanta) Forest, best known in a Siam/Laos context from the Thai legend "Traibhumikatha". I will not relate the entire story here, but it is an ancient legend based on Buddhist themes and is connected with the early Sukhothai monarch Maha Thammaracha I.

The Himmapan Forest is filled with creatures that are combined from two different animals. The Mucha Wan being a combination of a fish and a seal (or whale). For this reason the face of the creature displays whisker-like elements, a clear nose, and a flat plate on the head, while the body and tail are scaled and fish-like. I am attaching a few illustrations of a Mucha Wan.

This motif is not simply used in the pommel but in fact continues throughout the handle. The detail shows rather than lamduan flowers small renditions of the Mucha Wan and scales.

Some floral elements do remain, but even in the scabbard mounts the Mucha Wan motif is maintained and the scabbard drag forms the fish tail of the creature.

The mucha wan theme continues at the guard, with an open mouth depiction showing the characteristic toothy mouth and extended tongue.

Continued in a third post...