A beautiful Burmese dha dated 1798

Andrew · 13th December 2004, 02:15 AM

Outstanding, Mark! That is absolutely beautiful. Congratulations!

Have you been able to turn up anything about that general?

ksbhati · 13th December 2004, 07:58 AM

What a beautifull Sword. I know next to nothing about Burmese edged weapons...but when I see this, It makes me want to learn

.

Outstanding...thanks for posting.

Regards

Karni

wilked aka Khun Deng · 13th December 2004, 01:00 PM

It gets better looking every time I see it. I have yet to see it's equal in a story dha. What I'm sure Mark is too humble to tell you is that a professor in Chiang Mai had specifically requested this sword from the dealer to use in an upcoming book he will publish on the swords of the North. He at least thought it was historically significant.

This is the fourth time I've seen a similiar face on the pommel of a asian sword. Two were on the pommel caps of japanese style thai swords of high ranking individuals and another on a dha. Anybody have any ideas where it comes from?

Cylord email sent.

Mark · 13th December 2004, 02:13 PM

Thanks, all. It is very exciting to have such a nice, provenanced sword. Andrew, I haven't tried looking for info on the general, but I certainly intend to. It's hard to know where to start, but perhaps an internet search is the first step.

As for where it came from, aside from somewhere in Burma apparently, I need to check some sources to see who was in charge at that time. It was a very volotile period in Burmese history, with domestic control passing between Burmah and Mon kings, the capital shifting all over the place, and periodic invasions by the Thai and Arrakanese. It is a very distincitve style, and since I have not seen any bona fide "court" swords from Burma, I am going to venture a guess that it is such a sword, which means it is either from Ava, or Prome ... or Thaton ... or Pegu ... or Tuongoo ... <sigh>

The work on the scabbard looks almost Lao, actually. They work in this deeply chased style with illustrative panels. Perhaps a Lao craftsman in Burma, since Burma controlled that part of the area for some time in this era. I little perusal of my limited sources might shed some light.

CharlesS · 13th December 2004, 02:35 PM

I think this is the finest dha I have seen; what a splendid acquisition!

RhysMichael · 13th December 2004, 05:24 PM

Mark
To repeat what I posted on another site about this one, what a great dha. The blade inlay looks well done and the blade much better made than some of the story dha. But when you add in the well worked and unusual furniture this is a true rare find. Congratulations

Ian · 13th December 2004, 09:29 PM

Excellent example, and provenanced as well. Look forward to seeing more pics of the blade.

Hope you can nail down the likely area of Burma from which it came. The year predates substantial British involvement in the area, but you may find something helpful in the chronicles of early travelers to Burma. I have read of Portuguese mercenaries in Burma around this time.

Let's hear what you find.

Ian.

13th December 2004, 01:00 PM	#3
wilked aka Khun Deng Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 166	Gorgeous! It gets better looking every time I see it. I have yet to see it's equal in a story dha. What I'm sure Mark is too humble to tell you is that a professor in Chiang Mai had specifically requested this sword from the dealer to use in an upcoming book he will publish on the swords of the North. He at least thought it was historically significant. This is the fourth time I've seen a similiar face on the pommel of a asian sword. Two were on the pommel caps of japanese style thai swords of high ranking individuals and another on a dha. Anybody have any ideas where it comes from? Cylord email sent.

13th December 2004, 02:13 PM	#4
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Thanks for the complements Thanks, all. It is very exciting to have such a nice, provenanced sword. Andrew, I haven't tried looking for info on the general, but I certainly intend to. It's hard to know where to start, but perhaps an internet search is the first step. As for where it came from, aside from somewhere in Burma apparently, I need to check some sources to see who was in charge at that time. It was a very volotile period in Burmese history, with domestic control passing between Burmah and Mon kings, the capital shifting all over the place, and periodic invasions by the Thai and Arrakanese. It is a very distincitve style, and since I have not seen any bona fide "court" swords from Burma, I am going to venture a guess that it is such a sword, which means it is either from Ava, or Prome ... or Thaton ... or Pegu ... or Tuongoo ... <sigh> The work on the scabbard looks almost Lao, actually. They work in this deeply chased style with illustrative panels. Perhaps a Lao craftsman in Burma, since Burma controlled that part of the area for some time in this era. I little perusal of my limited sources might shed some light.

13th December 2004, 02:35 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Absolutely Gorgeeeeez! I think this is the finest dha I have seen; what a splendid acquisition! Last edited by CharlesS; 13th December 2004 at 02:36 PM. Reason: word omission

13th December 2004, 09:29 PM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,397	Congrats Mark ... Excellent example, and provenanced as well. Look forward to seeing more pics of the blade. Hope you can nail down the likely area of Burma from which it came. The year predates substantial British involvement in the area, but you may find something helpful in the chronicles of early travelers to Burma. I have read of Portuguese mercenaries in Burma around this time. Let's hear what you find. Ian.

13th December 2004, 02:15 AM	#1
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Outstanding, Mark! That is absolutely beautiful. Congratulations! Have you been able to turn up anything about that general?

13th December 2004, 07:58 AM	#2
ksbhati Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rajasthan, INDIA Posts: 25	What a beautifull Sword. I know next to nothing about Burmese edged weapons...but when I see this, It makes me want to learn . Outstanding...thanks for posting. Regards Karni

13th December 2004, 05:24 PM	#6
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	Mark To repeat what I posted on another site about this one, what a great dha. The blade inlay looks well done and the blade much better made than some of the story dha. But when you add in the well worked and unusual furniture this is a true rare find. Congratulations