Tibetan Sword

Gavin Nugent · 10th March 2008, 04:55 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, 05:10 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, 05:21 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, 05:48 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, 03:23 PM

Certainly looks nice....

Battara · 10th March 2008, 11:10 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.

10th March 2008, 04:55 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, 05:48 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, 03:23 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Certainly looks nice.... Attached Images

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10th March 2008, 05:10 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, 05:21 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, 11:10 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	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.