SABERS AND SOME ETHNIC WEAPONS IN SPANISH MUSEUM

Marc · 7th November 2005, 06:22 PM

Translation:

"Burmese Dhar [Translation Note: nevermind the spelling, there isn't a truly fixed form for the name of this kind of weapon in Spanish]:

Total Length: 865mm.

Blade length: 530mm.

Materials: Steel, wood, silver, cotton.

Inventory Number: 25.071.

Hilt made in wood with a lathed shape and provided with an important pommel that resembles a turban. The whole ensemble is covered with silver sheet and finely worked. The grip is divided in two sections, one of which is in turn covered by a woven wire mesh.

This type of sabre lacks a guard, and features a steel blade of curved lines. It features a rounded spine in the inside and a full edge in the outside [Translation Note: this description of the edge and spine is a direct translation of the technical way blades are described in Spanish. Among other things, sabre blades are described as having an "outside", where the main edge is, and an "inside", where the secondary edge and/or the spine is. I left it this way because I think it's clear enough]

The sheath is wood, covered of silver sheet with different decorations, and features a green cotton cord for carrying slung in the belt

The Dhar is the characteristic weapon of Burma"

Additionally, let me add a couple of things about this description and the others in the site... I know some of the people involved in the redaction of the catalogue of this exhibition. While the description of the military weapons is generally spot on, the data regarding some of the more ... "ethnographic" items is... well, less reliable. Descriptions are OK, but I wouldn't use the geographical and chronological data of the ethnographic items for anything else than a "general approximation".
The descriptions were done by different individuals, from different backgrounds, that's why no consistency, in one way or another, can be found. So it's better to exert some prudence.

In their discharge I have to say that because of logistic reasons they had to use what little data was available at that time at the Museum and had no chance to properly research the more "exotic" items. On the whole, given the conditions in which this exhibition was done, the final result, included the fact that it’s actually in the net, is, believe me, no less than spectacular...

7th November 2005, 06:22 PM	#6
Marc Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Madrid / Barcelona Posts: 256	Translation: "Burmese Dhar [Translation Note: nevermind the spelling, there isn't a truly fixed form for the name of this kind of weapon in Spanish]: Total Length: 865mm. Blade length: 530mm. Materials: Steel, wood, silver, cotton. Inventory Number: 25.071. Hilt made in wood with a lathed shape and provided with an important pommel that resembles a turban. The whole ensemble is covered with silver sheet and finely worked. The grip is divided in two sections, one of which is in turn covered by a woven wire mesh. This type of sabre lacks a guard, and features a steel blade of curved lines. It features a rounded spine in the inside and a full edge in the outside [Translation Note: this description of the edge and spine is a direct translation of the technical way blades are described in Spanish. Among other things, sabre blades are described as having an "outside", where the main edge is, and an "inside", where the secondary edge and/or the spine is. I left it this way because I think it's clear enough] The sheath is wood, covered of silver sheet with different decorations, and features a green cotton cord for carrying slung in the belt The Dhar is the characteristic weapon of Burma" Additionally, let me add a couple of things about this description and the others in the site... I know some of the people involved in the redaction of the catalogue of this exhibition. While the description of the military weapons is generally spot on, the data regarding some of the more ... "ethnographic" items is... well, less reliable. Descriptions are OK, but I wouldn't use the geographical and chronological data of the ethnographic items for anything else than a "general approximation". The descriptions were done by different individuals, from different backgrounds, that's why no consistency, in one way or another, can be found. So it's better to exert some prudence. In their discharge I have to say that because of logistic reasons they had to use what little data was available at that time at the Museum and had no chance to properly research the more "exotic" items. On the whole, given the conditions in which this exhibition was done, the final result, included the fact that it’s actually in the net, is, believe me, no less than spectacular... Last edited by Marc; 7th November 2005 at 06:33 PM. Reason: Spelling, what else... sigh...