Help Identifying Strange Dagger

Ian · 7th August 2007, 03:05 PM

That's an odd one. The dragon motif would seem to suggest a Chinese influence -- perhaps Tibetan

Does not look very sturdy or functional given the small amount of steel connecting the guard to the blade. Looks decorative or cermonial.

Ian.

Rick · 7th August 2007, 03:22 PM

Although the blade form may be borrowed from India I just don't think this piece originates from there.

IMO nothing about the workmanship looks Indian .

The Wessex Wyvern connection is intriguing and might lead somewhere .

indian-arts · 8th August 2007, 06:38 PM

The grip material looks like serpentine and the blade looks like steel. I'm posting a close-up of the blade; let me know if any of you would like to see additional photos.

The knife itself does looks decorative. The blade shape certainly resembles Indian daggers (and a wyvern such as that carved into the blade is associated with the Wessex region of Great Britain, which had several army regiments deployed to India in the 19th and early 20th c.), but even if that explains the blade, the handle is still a mystery. If the workmanship isn't Indian, might it be from somewhere nearby? Perhaps somewhere influenced by Indian culture?

In some ways the handle resembles SE Asian carved handles I've seen here and there, but I'm certainly no expert, and I haven't been able to find anything exactly like it. I've been looking into British Army deployments in the region, but haven't found any link to Wessex yet.

Thanks for all the great input so far!

8th August 2007, 06:38 PM	#3
indian-arts Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2	The grip material looks like serpentine and the blade looks like steel. I'm posting a close-up of the blade; let me know if any of you would like to see additional photos. The knife itself does looks decorative. The blade shape certainly resembles Indian daggers (and a wyvern such as that carved into the blade is associated with the Wessex region of Great Britain, which had several army regiments deployed to India in the 19th and early 20th c.), but even if that explains the blade, the handle is still a mystery. If the workmanship isn't Indian, might it be from somewhere nearby? Perhaps somewhere influenced by Indian culture? In some ways the handle resembles SE Asian carved handles I've seen here and there, but I'm certainly no expert, and I haven't been able to find anything exactly like it. I've been looking into British Army deployments in the region, but haven't found any link to Wessex yet. Thanks for all the great input so far! Attached Images

7th August 2007, 03:05 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	That's an odd one. The dragon motif would seem to suggest a Chinese influence -- perhaps Tibetan Does not look very sturdy or functional given the small amount of steel connecting the guard to the blade. Looks decorative or cermonial. Ian.

7th August 2007, 03:22 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Although the blade form may be borrowed from India I just don't think this piece originates from there. IMO nothing about the workmanship looks Indian . The Wessex Wyvern connection is intriguing and might lead somewhere .