Large Silver Dha/Daab/Darb for Comment

Nathaniel · 7th March 2011, 02:07 AM

Beautiful Silver Dha. Thanks for sharing the close shots

Interesting history.

This type of silver dha I would guess more northern Thailand/Burma/Yunnan area....Kachin/Jingpo people, but maybe others will have a better idea???

I remember one similar owned by a forum member:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6366
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...20&postcount=1

laEspadaAncha · 7th March 2011, 02:40 AM

Thank you Nathaniel... and much thanks for posting the link to a similar example.

I've combed through Mark Bowditch's site looking for similar examples, but didn't find anything that was as close a match (stylistically at least) as this one (blade profile aside).

There were quite a few other very interesting items in his estate I either had to pass on or missed out on acquiring (including other items from the Thai royal family), though I was grateful to have the opportunity to acquire this.

Nathaniel · 7th March 2011, 03:03 AM

laEspadaAncha,

Very interesting. This was just the first dha that came to mind. I'm no expert, but that is fantastic that you have providence with your beautiful dha, especially since so few come with such great information.

By chance could you take any further pictures? It's hard to clearly make out the scenes pictured in each of the panels. That would be wonderful to see when you have time!!!

Do you have any other pictures of the other Thai Royal items???

Thanks for sharing! Always love seeing the these type of swords.

Nathaniel · 7th March 2011, 03:19 AM

laEspadaAncha,

You mentioned the length of the sword is 42 inches in the scabbard. Could you also specify the length of the handle and blade individually?

Battara · 7th March 2011, 03:42 AM

Mil Gracia Espada Ancha! Lots of chasing work all over the piece!

Nathaniel, which tribe or people would this have belonged?

Nathaniel · 7th March 2011, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Mil Gracia Espada Ancha! Lots of chasing work all over the piece!

Nathaniel, which tribe or people would this have belonged?

Jingpo is the chinese name. Kachin is the Burmese name. They live in India, Burma and China.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingpo_people

laEspadaAncha · 7th March 2011, 07:27 AM

Hi Nathaniel,

While the decorative work does match that ID'd as Kachin in the thread to which you provided a link above, doesn't the blade in your opinion speak to a more likely Karen or Shan origin (as per Ian, Mark and Andrew's article written for the Macao exhibit catalog)? The spine is peaked at the forte, which as per the article is more common to Shan (style) blades. Also, wouldn't it seem odd to present a visiting foreign dignitary with a gift from an area relatively remote from the historical seat of Thai power and influence? Or is there a more prevalent sense of cross-cultural identity that blurs the lines between historically divergent ethnic groups and the stylistic differences as they appear in their respective traditional weaponry?

laEspadaAncha · 7th March 2011, 03:43 AM

Hi Nathaniel,

Unfortunately, the medals, letter, and signed photograph (of the king) were all rather expensive... The photograph (signed and with a note from the king) was about as expensive as the sword, and the medals (of which I know so little) were priced out of reach. There were other items that had belonged to the admiral I wanted to acquire (and did), so I unfortunately had to pass on these.

I'll take better pictures of the entire set of panels over the next few days, but in the meantime here's another that I've attached as slightly larger image... The scabbard is covered in images of men working. Upon closer review, the panels on the hilt have fauna in addition to the foliate scrollwork.

Regards,

Chris

7th March 2011, 02:07 AM	#1
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Beautiful Silver Dha. Thanks for sharing the close shots Interesting history. This type of silver dha I would guess more northern Thailand/Burma/Yunnan area....Kachin/Jingpo people, but maybe others will have a better idea??? I remember one similar owned by a forum member: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6366 http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...20&postcount=1 Last edited by Nathaniel; 7th March 2011 at 02:52 AM.

7th March 2011, 07:27 AM	#7
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Hi Nathaniel, While the decorative work does match that ID'd as Kachin in the thread to which you provided a link above, doesn't the blade in your opinion speak to a more likely Karen or Shan origin (as per Ian, Mark and Andrew's article written for the Macao exhibit catalog)? The spine is peaked at the forte, which as per the article is more common to Shan (style) blades. Also, wouldn't it seem odd to present a visiting foreign dignitary with a gift from an area relatively remote from the historical seat of Thai power and influence? Or is there a more prevalent sense of cross-cultural identity that blurs the lines between historically divergent ethnic groups and the stylistic differences as they appear in their respective traditional weaponry? Last edited by laEspadaAncha; 7th March 2011 at 08:07 AM. Reason: ETA more questions...

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7th March 2011, 02:40 AM	#2
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Thank you Nathaniel... and much thanks for posting the link to a similar example. I've combed through Mark Bowditch's site looking for similar examples, but didn't find anything that was as close a match (stylistically at least) as this one (blade profile aside). There were quite a few other very interesting items in his estate I either had to pass on or missed out on acquiring (including other items from the Thai royal family), though I was grateful to have the opportunity to acquire this.

7th March 2011, 03:03 AM	#3
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	laEspadaAncha, Very interesting. This was just the first dha that came to mind. I'm no expert, but that is fantastic that you have providence with your beautiful dha, especially since so few come with such great information. By chance could you take any further pictures? It's hard to clearly make out the scenes pictured in each of the panels. That would be wonderful to see when you have time!!! Do you have any other pictures of the other Thai Royal items??? Thanks for sharing! Always love seeing the these type of swords.

7th March 2011, 03:19 AM	#4
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	laEspadaAncha, You mentioned the length of the sword is 42 inches in the scabbard. Could you also specify the length of the handle and blade individually?

7th March 2011, 03:42 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Mil Gracia Espada Ancha! Lots of chasing work all over the piece! Nathaniel, which tribe or people would this have belonged?

7th March 2011, 03:43 AM	#8
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Hi Nathaniel, Unfortunately, the medals, letter, and signed photograph (of the king) were all rather expensive... The photograph (signed and with a note from the king) was about as expensive as the sword, and the medals (of which I know so little) were priced out of reach. There were other items that had belonged to the admiral I wanted to acquire (and did), so I unfortunately had to pass on these. I'll take better pictures of the entire set of panels over the next few days, but in the meantime here's another that I've attached as slightly larger image... The scabbard is covered in images of men working. Upon closer review, the panels on the hilt have fauna in addition to the foliate scrollwork. Regards, Chris