Good news /bad news Tulwar.

Jens Nordlunde · 28th February 2007, 04:35 PM

Hi Richard,

When I write that I am studying the decorations, then I mean, that I do 'scratch the stone' on and off, when nothing else distracts me. One of the problems, and that is a big one, is to make sure which flower shown on the hilts represents which flower – as the artistic touch can be rather big. With some of the flowers I only have a hunch, with others I know what they are, but I would like to know more about it.

Years ago I did not bother much with the bibliography in a book, but it is different now as I read the forward, the bibliography, skim the book – and decide if it is a book I would like to have. If you don't do it already, try it, and you will learn much about the book by reading the bibliography and skimming the book. I would really be surprised if you don't like Robert's book, and few books are written about south Indian weapons – so if you collect Indian arms, it is a must, and if you buy the book, don't skip the notes they are very valuable.

I find the decoration close to the hilt strange, but I find the decoration at the yelman even stranger, is it on both sides? Is it possible for you to take close ups of both decorations?

Battara · 28th February 2007, 09:35 PM

With all due respect I may add a different perspective to the etching question. I would look very closely at the blade to see if any pattern is there. Perhaps you could etch a small section, a "window" as they say in the Nihonto collecting terms. If there is a pattern, I would etch it. If not, don't bother with the rest of it.

Pukka Bundook · 1st March 2007, 03:22 AM

GT,
thank you again for direction re.fullers, etc!

Jens,
I will try and take pictures of both areas ASAP.
Yes, the marks on yelman are on both sides, little circle of dots with one roughly in the centre.
They look like they were punched in with a graver, as the marks are triangular.
The engraving on the ricasso end is filled with a red dye of some sort,
Is this usual?
Don't know what it is exactly, but it has stood the polishing down and is still present!

Battara,
You anticipated my thoughts!........try a bit with an etch & see what shows, if not much, don't bother!

Pukka Bundook · 1st March 2007, 08:27 PM

Jens,
Here are the close-ups of ricasso & yelman.
Hope this helps!

Richard

ariel · 1st March 2007, 11:10 PM

I have to admit: you did a much, much better job on it that I thought would be imaginable! My hat is off to you!
I have a crow to eat for today's supper

Jens Nordlunde · 2nd March 2007, 02:31 PM

Thank you for showing the details – excellent pictures.

The decoration at the top of the blade is strange, I can't recall to have seen one like it before, and can't offer any suggestions. The dotted circle with a dot in the middle is another puzzle. It reminds me of the flower on the kora blades, but I don't know if it represents the same, and if it does, one must really say that it is very stylized. I hope someone else on the forum can help with informations. On the weapons I have with dot markings most of the dots are triangle as well, which must be due to the form of the tool used.

Pukka Bundook · 3rd March 2007, 03:45 AM

Ariel,
I'm pleased you think it looks better!
Up to now I haven't been intelligent enough to withstand a challenge like this,...May get smarter one day!

Jens,
Thank you for taking interest in the marks. Some idea of what they mean may come to light one day.
All very interesting!

1st March 2007, 08:27 PM	#4
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Jens, Here are the close-ups of ricasso & yelman. Hope this helps! Richard Attached Images

28th February 2007, 04:35 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Richard, When I write that I am studying the decorations, then I mean, that I do 'scratch the stone' on and off, when nothing else distracts me. One of the problems, and that is a big one, is to make sure which flower shown on the hilts represents which flower – as the artistic touch can be rather big. With some of the flowers I only have a hunch, with others I know what they are, but I would like to know more about it. Years ago I did not bother much with the bibliography in a book, but it is different now as I read the forward, the bibliography, skim the book – and decide if it is a book I would like to have. If you don't do it already, try it, and you will learn much about the book by reading the bibliography and skimming the book. I would really be surprised if you don't like Robert's book, and few books are written about south Indian weapons – so if you collect Indian arms, it is a must, and if you buy the book, don't skip the notes they are very valuable. I find the decoration close to the hilt strange, but I find the decoration at the yelman even stranger, is it on both sides? Is it possible for you to take close ups of both decorations?

28th February 2007, 09:35 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	With all due respect I may add a different perspective to the etching question. I would look very closely at the blade to see if any pattern is there. Perhaps you could etch a small section, a "window" as they say in the Nihonto collecting terms. If there is a pattern, I would etch it. If not, don't bother with the rest of it.

1st March 2007, 03:22 AM	#3
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	GT, thank you again for direction re.fullers, etc! Jens, I will try and take pictures of both areas ASAP. Yes, the marks on yelman are on both sides, little circle of dots with one roughly in the centre. They look like they were punched in with a graver, as the marks are triangular. The engraving on the ricasso end is filled with a red dye of some sort, Is this usual? Don't know what it is exactly, but it has stood the polishing down and is still present! Battara, You anticipated my thoughts!........try a bit with an etch & see what shows, if not much, don't bother!

1st March 2007, 11:10 PM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I have to admit: you did a much, much better job on it that I thought would be imaginable! My hat is off to you! I have a crow to eat for today's supper

2nd March 2007, 02:31 PM	#6
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Thank you for showing the details – excellent pictures. The decoration at the top of the blade is strange, I can't recall to have seen one like it before, and can't offer any suggestions. The dotted circle with a dot in the middle is another puzzle. It reminds me of the flower on the kora blades, but I don't know if it represents the same, and if it does, one must really say that it is very stylized. I hope someone else on the forum can help with informations. On the weapons I have with dot markings most of the dots are triangle as well, which must be due to the form of the tool used.

3rd March 2007, 03:45 AM	#7
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Ariel, I'm pleased you think it looks better! Up to now I haven't been intelligent enough to withstand a challenge like this,...May get smarter one day! Jens, Thank you for taking interest in the marks. Some idea of what they mean may come to light one day. All very interesting!