Unusual Indian Hindu Gods Dagger?

spiral · 17th December 2008, 02:53 PM

Well heres a strange beast I just picked up, Hollow ground blade could perhaps be European? slight forging fissures visible though so not realy sure, Did Indians make straight daggers?

Handle is mostly Silver, Gilt & gold & possibly a gilded Brass crossguard.{not certan.] It is set with alluvial rubies I think {one missing.} or perhaps just Garnets? decorated with numerous Hindu Gods & Goddess & symbols.Great workmanship.

Any info on the Gods etc. appreciated, also I am curios where this piece is from, South India? I am guessing Coorg or Sri Lanka due to handle, but it so unusual I dont know, Perhaps Malaysia or Indonesia even? Or somewhere else?

Anyone ever seen anything similar? What sort of date is it?

Any info & all opinions & observations welcome.

Spiral

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spiral · 17th December 2008, 02:54 PM

spiral · 17th December 2008, 02:54 PM

VANDOO · 17th December 2008, 06:33 PM

SUPERB WORKMANSHIP ON THE HANDLE

IN THE THIRD PICTURE THE COLOR OF THE STONES APPEARS TO BE PROPER FOR RUBIES OFTEN USED IN SIRI LANKA, IN OTHER CLOSER PICTURES THEY LOOK MORE LIKE GARNET COLOR. I HAVE SEEN ONE PIECE FROM SIRI LANKA (CEYLON) WITH SILVER AND GOLD WORK OF THIS QUALITY SO THAT QUALITY OF WORK HAS BEEN DONE SO IT IS A POSSIBLE ORIGIN.
THE KNIFE BLADE IS NOT THE USUAL FORM SO PERHAPS IT WAS CUSTOM MADE FOR A FORIGNER OF HIGH RANK BY HIS ORDER OR FOR PRESENTATION.
CONGRADULATIONS ITS A BEAUTY

Atlantia · 17th December 2008, 07:29 PM

OMG its beautiful. I am speechless. If you ever need a kidney, I will gladly swap you one for it.

The 'face of Glory' Makara, is like the ones on my temple bowl:

Battara · 17th December 2008, 08:30 PM

Never seen a piece like this - it is wonderous. Yes I too think it is Sri Lankan.

Atlantia · 17th December 2008, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Never seen a piece like this - it is wonderous. Yes I too think it is Sri Lankan.

Yes, I meant to add I also agree with the Sri-Lankan origin.

RSWORD · 18th December 2008, 01:21 PM

The handle kind of reminds me of Burmese or Thai carved ivory handles where all the figures/faces are tightly grouped together.

17th December 2008, 02:53 PM	#1
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Unusual Indian Hindu Gods Dagger? Well heres a strange beast I just picked up, Hollow ground blade could perhaps be European? slight forging fissures visible though so not realy sure, Did Indians make straight daggers? Handle is mostly Silver, Gilt & gold & possibly a gilded Brass crossguard.{not certan.] It is set with alluvial rubies I think {one missing.} or perhaps just Garnets? decorated with numerous Hindu Gods & Goddess & symbols.Great workmanship. Any info on the Gods etc. appreciated, also I am curios where this piece is from, South India? I am guessing Coorg or Sri Lanka due to handle, but it so unusual I dont know, Perhaps Malaysia or Indonesia even? Or somewhere else? Anyone ever seen anything similar? What sort of date is it? Any info & all opinions & observations welcome. Spiral [

17th December 2008, 02:54 PM	#2
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712

17th December 2008, 06:33 PM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	SUPERB WORKMANSHIP ON THE HANDLE IN THE THIRD PICTURE THE COLOR OF THE STONES APPEARS TO BE PROPER FOR RUBIES OFTEN USED IN SIRI LANKA, IN OTHER CLOSER PICTURES THEY LOOK MORE LIKE GARNET COLOR. I HAVE SEEN ONE PIECE FROM SIRI LANKA (CEYLON) WITH SILVER AND GOLD WORK OF THIS QUALITY SO THAT QUALITY OF WORK HAS BEEN DONE SO IT IS A POSSIBLE ORIGIN. THE KNIFE BLADE IS NOT THE USUAL FORM SO PERHAPS IT WAS CUSTOM MADE FOR A FORIGNER OF HIGH RANK BY HIS ORDER OR FOR PRESENTATION. CONGRADULATIONS ITS A BEAUTY

17th December 2008, 07:29 PM	#5
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	OMG its beautiful. I am speechless. If you ever need a kidney, I will gladly swap you one for it. The 'face of Glory' Makara, is like the ones on my temple bowl:

17th December 2008, 08:30 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Never seen a piece like this - it is wonderous. Yes I too think it is Sri Lankan.

18th December 2008, 01:21 PM	#8
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	The handle kind of reminds me of Burmese or Thai carved ivory handles where all the figures/faces are tightly grouped together.