DHA / DAAB / GLAIVE

Nathaniel · 7th February 2015, 05:03 AM

Yes, ceremonial Thai...originally as a sword...all like this are oversized...with the massive ivory handles...and not super fine silverwork, but still impressive. Yes, Chinese influence with the blade. You see Chinese influence so often throughout southeast asia...definitely within Thailand it is very common to find smiths and craftsman of Chinese descent.

Very nice find Royston. Thanks for sharing

Andrew · 7th February 2015, 04:04 PM

Agreed--these are not for fighting. Ceremonial, decorative, display, etc. Some are truly massive and huge.

Royston · 9th February 2015, 06:09 PM

Thanks Gents,

Yes definitely ceremonial. It's too heavy to be of use as a weapon.

Regards
Roy

David · 9th February 2015, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royston

Yes definitely ceremonial. It's too heavy to be of use as a weapon.

Well, unless you're THIS guy...

Ian · 11th February 2015, 01:37 PM

Roy:

I believe this sword once appeared on the Oriental-Arms web site where Artzi described it as a "monstrous dah sword" from Thailand-Laos (see http://oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=2723). That site also related the popular story about these massive dah being wielded by trained war elephants in battle. Despite a mythical drawing on the Oriental-Arms site showing an elephant fighting with such a large sword, there is little evidence to indicate that war elephants actually wielded these swords in battle.

Another site shows a pair of these swords, with a note that they were distributed to Lanna officers, kept in the howdah and used by its occupants against mounted adversaries (see http://michaelbackmanltd.com/1600.html). Again, there is little evidence that they were used in this fashion.

So the jury is out as to what the function of these massive swords may be. Ceremonial use seems most likely to me, as a demonstration of power and wealth of rulers, or possibly as an execution method but frankly, having handled a few of these, I would prefer a well balanced regular dha for that purpose.

Ian.

Here is a picture of the pair of swords shown on the Michael Blackman site.

------------

ausjulius · 11th February 2015, 03:56 PM

yes they are decorative items. you can still purchase giant dah,
you see them in amulet shops now and then, they are of a more conventional style.

Ian · 11th February 2015, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ausjulius

yes they are decorative items. you can still purchase giant dah,
you see them in amulet shops now and then, they are of a more conventional style.

ausjulius:

Do these swords found today also have the massive ivory hilt and silver fittings? It seems that they would have been expensive items when made.

Do you think there is any truth to the claim made on the Michael Blackman web site that these were distributed to Lanna military officers for use when mounted on elephants? That site quotes Conway (2002) as a reference for this use, and it seems that there is one of these swords in a museum in Chiang Mai that may support such a claim.

Ian.

Conway, S. Silken Threads Lacquer Thrones: Lan Na Court Textiles, River Books: Bangkok, 2002.

7th February 2015, 05:03 AM	#1
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Yes, ceremonial Thai...originally as a sword...all like this are oversized...with the massive ivory handles...and not super fine silverwork, but still impressive. Yes, Chinese influence with the blade. You see Chinese influence so often throughout southeast asia...definitely within Thailand it is very common to find smiths and craftsman of Chinese descent. Very nice find Royston. Thanks for sharing Last edited by Nathaniel; 7th February 2015 at 09:15 PM.

11th February 2015, 01:37 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Roy: I believe this sword once appeared on the Oriental-Arms web site where Artzi described it as a "monstrous dah sword" from Thailand-Laos (see http://oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=2723). That site also related the popular story about these massive dah being wielded by trained war elephants in battle. Despite a mythical drawing on the Oriental-Arms site showing an elephant fighting with such a large sword, there is little evidence to indicate that war elephants actually wielded these swords in battle. Another site shows a pair of these swords, with a note that they were distributed to Lanna officers, kept in the howdah and used by its occupants against mounted adversaries (see http://michaelbackmanltd.com/1600.html). Again, there is little evidence that they were used in this fashion. So the jury is out as to what the function of these massive swords may be. Ceremonial use seems most likely to me, as a demonstration of power and wealth of rulers, or possibly as an execution method but frankly, having handled a few of these, I would prefer a well balanced regular dha for that purpose. Ian. Here is a picture of the pair of swords shown on the Michael Blackman site. ------------ Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 11th February 2015 at 01:59 PM.

7th February 2015, 04:04 PM	#2
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Agreed--these are not for fighting. Ceremonial, decorative, display, etc. Some are truly massive and huge.

9th February 2015, 06:09 PM	#3
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	Thanks Gents, Yes definitely ceremonial. It's too heavy to be of use as a weapon. Regards Roy

11th February 2015, 03:56 PM	#6
ausjulius Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: musorian territory Posts: 439	yes they are decorative items. you can still purchase giant dah, you see them in amulet shops now and then, they are of a more conventional style.