Sharper than an Indian sword

Jim McDougall · 26th July 2010, 06:00 PM

Hi Jens and Gav,
This is really interesting, and hard to find much information on these. From what I can find, it seems the 'ezhuthaani' term applies primarily to the stylus used to inscribe these palm leaves. Apparantly by deity in Hindu Faith this pertains to Lord Chitragupta, the younger brother of Yama, and who is a scribe and accountant in keeping accounts of the good and bad deeds of individuals. The result is determination of Heaven or hell of course as the time comes.

It would seem by the end of the 18th and into the 19th, and the surrounding presence of the British Raj, the use of the palm leaf would have been more votive than actually required, and perhaps this instrument would have been part of ceremonial use. The relatively modern concept of the folding knife had developed of course from European knives by this time and would have been well known through the increasing British colonial presence as well as trade.
The ivory notably suggests ceremony and the high quality of this very attractive piece seems to support that....the inscription....well I defer

All the best,
Jim

Jens Nordlunde · 26th July 2010, 07:15 PM

No Jim, I don’t think it was ceremonial at all. I think it was used very much at the time. Think of what paper costs to day, and then think of what it must have cost two centuries ago. The new industry really has changed these costs.

People who wanted to write a letter or to keep house hold budgets could not have afforded to use paper so they would have used palm leaves – as they were used to.

What I have not told you yet is, that it is a gift from a very good friend, who did not want to sell it, but who only would give it as a gift to someone who would really appreciate it - and I do - very much so.

Jim McDougall · 27th July 2010, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

No Jim, I don’t think it was ceremonial at all. I think it was used very much at the time. Think of what paper costs to day, and then think of what it must have cost two centuries ago. The new industry really has changed these costs.

People who wanted to write a letter or to keep house hold budgets could not have afforded to use paper so they would have used palm leaves – as they were used to.

What I have not told you yet is, that it is a gift from a very good friend, who did not want to sell it, but who only would give it as a gift to someone who would really appreciate it - and I do - very much so.

Jens, I didnt mean for the 'ceremonial' suggestion to diminish the stature of the piece, quite the contrary. It is of superb quality and that was what was meant. I hadnt really realized that palm leaves were used in daily matters, but then hadnt really thought about it either. With that being the case, it is of course an extremely nice knife/stylus and a very nice gift from your friend.
Thank you again for sharing it.

All the best,
Jim

26th July 2010, 06:00 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Hi Jens and Gav, This is really interesting, and hard to find much information on these. From what I can find, it seems the 'ezhuthaani' term applies primarily to the stylus used to inscribe these palm leaves. Apparantly by deity in Hindu Faith this pertains to Lord Chitragupta, the younger brother of Yama, and who is a scribe and accountant in keeping accounts of the good and bad deeds of individuals. The result is determination of Heaven or hell of course as the time comes. It would seem by the end of the 18th and into the 19th, and the surrounding presence of the British Raj, the use of the palm leaf would have been more votive than actually required, and perhaps this instrument would have been part of ceremonial use. The relatively modern concept of the folding knife had developed of course from European knives by this time and would have been well known through the increasing British colonial presence as well as trade. The ivory notably suggests ceremony and the high quality of this very attractive piece seems to support that....the inscription....well I defer All the best, Jim

26th July 2010, 07:15 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	No Jim, I don’t think it was ceremonial at all. I think it was used very much at the time. Think of what paper costs to day, and then think of what it must have cost two centuries ago. The new industry really has changed these costs. People who wanted to write a letter or to keep house hold budgets could not have afforded to use paper so they would have used palm leaves – as they were used to. What I have not told you yet is, that it is a gift from a very good friend, who did not want to sell it, but who only would give it as a gift to someone who would really appreciate it - and I do - very much so.