SE Asian Double Knives

kai · 25th January 2020, 06:57 PM

Thanks for the additional pics, folks!

We have to keep in mind that not everything coming out of Thailand (much less being displayed in a Thai museum) needs to be Thai from an ethnographic perspective. Aside from diplomatic gifts or spoils of war showing up in any royal armory, traditional pieces from the southern regions historically inhabited by (mainly) Malays are, of course, culturally Malay rather than Thai. In addition, just about any commercially important town has at least one but usually several "Chinese" expat communities.

Like Charles mentioned, the 2 armory pieces may well be of Malay/Indo origin.

The other examples seem to exhibit blades of Thai production or at least style while the hilts more or less try to keep some traditional features.

The hilts of Charles double set do strike me as a bit more off the mark. I wouldn't be surprised if this set was a bit later and possibly crafted locally for someone of southern Chinese descent (possibly for selling).

Regards,
Kai

Sajen · 26th January 2020, 02:55 PM

Hello,
I think Charles examples a genuine, this badik (there will be an other name from region to region) are found also in Buddhist parts of Thailand and parts of Cambodia, see also the other very nice piece with twiscore blade Charles has posted.

Regards,
Detlef

25th January 2020, 06:57 PM	#1
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Thanks for the additional pics, folks! We have to keep in mind that not everything coming out of Thailand (much less being displayed in a Thai museum) needs to be Thai from an ethnographic perspective. Aside from diplomatic gifts or spoils of war showing up in any royal armory, traditional pieces from the southern regions historically inhabited by (mainly) Malays are, of course, culturally Malay rather than Thai. In addition, just about any commercially important town has at least one but usually several "Chinese" expat communities. Like Charles mentioned, the 2 armory pieces may well be of Malay/Indo origin. The other examples seem to exhibit blades of Thai production or at least style while the hilts more or less try to keep some traditional features. The hilts of Charles double set do strike me as a bit more off the mark. I wouldn't be surprised if this set was a bit later and possibly crafted locally for someone of southern Chinese descent (possibly for selling). Regards, Kai

26th January 2020, 02:55 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Hello, I think Charles examples a genuine, this badik (there will be an other name from region to region) are found also in Buddhist parts of Thailand and parts of Cambodia, see also the other very nice piece with twiscore blade Charles has posted. Regards, Detlef