Tibetan Sword

Gavin Nugent · 10th March 2008, 03:55 AM

Out bid at the last second, that's the name of the game, shame though, it is truely a superb piece.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=290211348229

Maybe someone will be good enough to post the pictures or even know the buyer to get more images, I'm off to cry a little.

Gav

dennee · 10th March 2008, 04:10 AM

Gav,

I was watching that too. But I wouldn't be too disappointed. In my opinion, it went for a high price. I would guess it's a mid-twentieth-century piece, and the photos don't show the quality of the blade.

Last summer, it belonged to a member of this forum. He pointed out, after some research, that the suspension piece is a lady's chatelaine (made in eastern Tibet, I suppose), i.e., it would have hung from a Tibetan lady's belt (inverted, as the loop around the belt now holds the scabbard) and from it would have hung perhaps a trousse or knife or keys, etc. There's a piece missing from the chatelaine, a sort of hinged ring from which the the items would have hung.

A few months ago, I ran a fragment of the inscription by some Tibetans (I didn't have photos of it in its entirety), and they thought that it is not a prayer but rather a Cultural Revolution-era slogan, perhaps "Long Live Chairman Mao's Thought!" Certainly interesting if not characteristically Tibetan; perhaps the only way the owner could keep a "feudal" weapon was a communist invocation.

dennee · 10th March 2008, 04:21 AM

I would say that the chatelaine has some value separately, despite its not being complete. Of course, it does make the sword look more impressive.

Gavin Nugent · 10th March 2008, 04:48 AM

Thank you for your learned words Dennee. From the seller's estimate of 3-500USD it did go a lot higher. I am happier that I was outbid. Now that I can picture your explanation of the way it is to be suspended I am grateful.

The search continues for a fine example of a Tibetan Sword.

Many Thanks

Gav

katana · 10th March 2008, 02:23 PM

Certainly looks nice....

Battara · 10th March 2008, 10:10 PM

Yes I agree truly the real value is in the chatelaine. It is of true silver and gilding work - I have handled this before it was sold to the dealer.

Gavin Nugent · 10th March 2008, 11:30 PM

Thanks for your ongoing help and interest fellow collectors.

regards

Gavin

PS if there is an outstanding Tibetan sword out there that you dont want or see and there is not enough coin in your pocket at the time, please contact me as I do wish for one example in my collection.

dennee · 29th June 2010, 03:28 PM

Looks like "our" chatelaine made an appearance on another Tibetan weapon! This Bonham's auction closed yesterday. When the catalog came out, I emailed the specialist about the item. It seems like there were no takers.

Gavin Nugent · 30th June 2010, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennee

Looks like "our" chatelaine made an appearance on another Tibetan weapon! This Bonham's auction closed yesterday. When the catalog came out, I emailed the specialist about the item. It seems like there were no takers.

I too saw it Dennee, I think this was the third time I've seen it now.

Gav

dennee · 30th June 2010, 01:19 AM

Third time for me too, but I was surprised to see it switched onto another weapon.

Battara · 30th June 2010, 03:38 AM

I almost bought the piece for the chatelaine and not the sword.

Gavin Nugent · 30th June 2010, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I almost bought the piece for the chatelaine and not the sword.

Seeing the quality I nearly did the same, it a beautiful piece of displayable art in itself much like almost anything in silver from the regions of Tibet and Bhutan.

Gav

10th March 2008, 03:55 AM	#1
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Tibetan Sword Out bid at the last second, that's the name of the game, shame though, it is truely a superb piece. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=290211348229 Maybe someone will be good enough to post the pictures or even know the buyer to get more images, I'm off to cry a little. Gav

10th March 2008, 04:48 AM	#4
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	tears dried up quick. Thank you for your learned words Dennee. From the seller's estimate of 3-500USD it did go a lot higher. I am happier that I was outbid. Now that I can picture your explanation of the way it is to be suspended I am grateful. The search continues for a fine example of a Tibetan Sword. Many Thanks Gav

10th March 2008, 02:23 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Certainly looks nice.... Attached Images

10th March 2008, 11:30 PM	#7
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Thank you. Thanks for your ongoing help and interest fellow collectors. regards Gavin PS if there is an outstanding Tibetan sword out there that you dont want or see and there is not enough coin in your pocket at the time, please contact me as I do wish for one example in my collection.

29th June 2010, 03:28 PM	#8
dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 186	Looks like "our" chatelaine made an appearance on another Tibetan weapon! This Bonham's auction closed yesterday. When the catalog came out, I emailed the specialist about the item. It seems like there were no takers. Last edited by Lew; 29th June 2010 at 04:44 PM.

10th March 2008, 04:10 AM	#2
dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 186	Gav, I was watching that too. But I wouldn't be too disappointed. In my opinion, it went for a high price. I would guess it's a mid-twentieth-century piece, and the photos don't show the quality of the blade. Last summer, it belonged to a member of this forum. He pointed out, after some research, that the suspension piece is a lady's chatelaine (made in eastern Tibet, I suppose), i.e., it would have hung from a Tibetan lady's belt (inverted, as the loop around the belt now holds the scabbard) and from it would have hung perhaps a trousse or knife or keys, etc. There's a piece missing from the chatelaine, a sort of hinged ring from which the the items would have hung. A few months ago, I ran a fragment of the inscription by some Tibetans (I didn't have photos of it in its entirety), and they thought that it is not a prayer but rather a Cultural Revolution-era slogan, perhaps "Long Live Chairman Mao's Thought!" Certainly interesting if not characteristically Tibetan; perhaps the only way the owner could keep a "feudal" weapon was a communist invocation.

10th March 2008, 04:21 AM	#3
dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 186	I would say that the chatelaine has some value separately, despite its not being complete. Of course, it does make the sword look more impressive.

10th March 2008, 10:10 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Yes I agree truly the real value is in the chatelaine. It is of true silver and gilding work - I have handled this before it was sold to the dealer.

30th June 2010, 01:19 AM	#10
dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 186	Third time for me too, but I was surprised to see it switched onto another weapon.

30th June 2010, 03:38 AM	#11
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	I almost bought the piece for the chatelaine and not the sword.