Burmese, East Asian Mak Chopper?

[Jim McDougall]

Good observation Katana. I had forgotten about the Bhuj Kutti, although I had considered the Malabar chopper in finding weapons comparable to this unusual example of Tim's. I think the 'Bhuj Kutti' ( often termed the elephant knife for the decorative motif which typically included elephant forms) is actually sort of a short hafted polearm, and the heavy chopper blade more comparable to heads of these type weapons.
I think Rhys Michael's note on the absence of the eye which typically is seen on ram dao and other sacrificial weapons associated with Kali is most interesting. It leads to asking what factors would determine variations in the application of this motif as it does seem that there are obviously instances of variation.
The link referring to the suastika is very interesting also, and I was unaware that this now unfortunately connoted device was also a symbol applied to Kali worship. In the instances I have seen it applied to weapons, which are seemingly rare, it has appeared on Chinese blades and in the instance I have seen, appeared in a linear panel of several suastikas. In this case it was a Ming dynasty blade and the device associated with the Buddhist application.

As Tim notes, it would be difficult to determine what factors are key in the application of certain symbolism on these weapons, but perspective on such elements are often key in more specific identification on them.

Best regards,
Jim