burmese dha

Nathaniel · 29th October 2007, 03:17 AM

On, no by all means Fernando...I love it when the discussion is generated...and especially when it's polite...which I have not always found on this forum

Jim McDougall · 29th October 2007, 05:48 AM

Very nice examples Nathaniel and Fernando!
I must admit dhas are outside my usual field of study, but I enjoy learning more on them from the outstanding knowledge shared here on the forum.

I completely follow Fernando's perception concerning the rayskin hilt, and honestly did not even know that dhas used this material in the hilts. Is this distinctly a Burmese affectation?

I have only ever had a couple of dhas, one being a Montagnard example, a bringback from Vietnam in the 60's. This had the same roped application on the scabbard.

I'm with you Nathaniel!!! I always look forward to polite discussions where we can all learn by sharing information and ideas, and I think we've always done pretty well here overall.

All very best regards,
Jim

Mark · 29th October 2007, 01:13 PM

This is a very interesting dha, Nathaniel. I would say that it is from northern Burma or far northwestern Thailand, as it has distinctive elements of a Shan dha - long handle, rounded scabbard tip, and the spear point. The rayskin could be original, as the manner in nailing it is not unusually messy. It is probably a borrowing from further south. Rayskin is a common material on Burmese dha.

Congratulations on a great acquisition!

Battara · 29th October 2007, 11:32 PM

Rsword is right. This type of spherical structure indicates rayskin. You see this same pattern on some Japanese scabbards (saya) where it is polished down for effect, not so much for grip.

29th October 2007, 03:17 AM	#1
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	On, no by all means Fernando...I love it when the discussion is generated...and especially when it's polite...which I have not always found on this forum

29th October 2007, 05:48 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,295	Very nice examples Nathaniel and Fernando! I must admit dhas are outside my usual field of study, but I enjoy learning more on them from the outstanding knowledge shared here on the forum. I completely follow Fernando's perception concerning the rayskin hilt, and honestly did not even know that dhas used this material in the hilts. Is this distinctly a Burmese affectation? I have only ever had a couple of dhas, one being a Montagnard example, a bringback from Vietnam in the 60's. This had the same roped application on the scabbard. I'm with you Nathaniel!!! I always look forward to polite discussions where we can all learn by sharing information and ideas, and I think we've always done pretty well here overall. All very best regards, Jim

29th October 2007, 01:13 PM	#3
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	This is a very interesting dha, Nathaniel. I would say that it is from northern Burma or far northwestern Thailand, as it has distinctive elements of a Shan dha - long handle, rounded scabbard tip, and the spear point. The rayskin could be original, as the manner in nailing it is not unusually messy. It is probably a borrowing from further south. Rayskin is a common material on Burmese dha. Congratulations on a great acquisition!

29th October 2007, 11:32 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Rsword is right. This type of spherical structure indicates rayskin. You see this same pattern on some Japanese scabbards (saya) where it is polished down for effect, not so much for grip.