Feeling froggy the other day and found one of these at a fair wallhanging price. Having done some reading here and hitting the regular links
http://dharesearch.bowditch.us/Intro...1Main_Page.htm
http://dharesearch.bowditch.us/Decor...me1Source1.htm
the overlay on the blades was well described and we can see these quite regular examples with less care taken to the margins than others.
I came across a sibling to the one inbound here and I will be able to tell if it is plated brass, or other alloy. Here, a completed auction
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item...tory-dha-sword
The decoration most identical to the auction piece and also with a 30" blade. The butterflies leading to spirits and capturing or retaining souls? Nats new to me but I am still reading. These seem huge! At 47", I can see why the seller's shipping cost reflects that size.
I guess my questions remain two-fold. Why the differences between round or more blossomed would be one. Secondly whether these were meant at all for general local consumption, or entirely market pieces? Mostly, I am curious about the pommel differences. The spiritual mythology and interesting study I'll be reading more about. Kind of like a native American dream catcher, or medicine wheel.
Cheers
GC