A rare Burmese dha

[Iain]

I haven't shared additions to my collection in some time but this one is interesting enough to be worth a post.

While quite a simple sword this one is notable for the rare tip form and also that the scabbard is complete including the original lacquer. The handle is bamboo and retains the 'ribs' of the original material paired with simple iron mounts. A true fighting dha.

The last image shows it next to a pair of northern Thai daab.

[kai]

Nice one, Iain!

Can it be attributed to one of the highland groups?

BTW, looks like the hilt is made from rattan rather than bamboo.

Regards,
Kai

[Ian]

Hi Iain,

Nice old dha/daab. The hilt looks longer than usually seen on Burmese dha. Can you explain why you think this is Burmese rather than Thai or Lao.

Ian

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi Iain,

Nice old dha/daab. The hilt looks longer than usually seen on Burmese dha. Can you explain why you think this is Burmese rather than Thai or Lao.

Ian

Hi Ian, there are a few indicators in this case that point to a Burmese origin. The tip form is not one that seems common on the Thai or Laos side of the border as well as the spine shape and decoration. Of course there is a chance it could be from either country, but I would find that unlikely.

In terms of the hilt length its certainly longer than many Burmese examples but not unusual compared to some of the Burmese silver or samrit mounted types.

[Ian]

Hi Iain,

Yes, the tip does seem unusual. However, I think that some of this is due to wear. What may once have been a fairly squared off end, or perhaps slightly concave, seems to have lost some steel on its lower edge--the part of the tip that is rounded off. If we account for some significant wear there, then the tip was probably not all that unusual when it was created. There are certainly Thai and Lao daab that had square ends or slightly concave ones. Another possibility is a HuSa daab from the Achang in southern Yunnan. They make fine quality swords and are culturally related to the Shan, who are found in northern Thailand, the Shan States of south-eastern Burma/Myanmar, and southern Yunnan. I'm thinking this sword was made it that general area.

I doubt that this is a Burman dha. It would be good to see pictures of the spine which you mention as indicating a Burmese origin.

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi Iain,

Yes, the tip does seem unusual. However, I think that some of this is due to wear. What may once have been a fairly squared off end, or perhaps slightly concave, seems to have lost some steel on its lower edge--the part of the tip that is rounded off. If we account for some significant wear there, then the tip was probably not all that unusual when it was created. There are certainly Thai and Lao daab that had square ends or slightly concave ones. Another possibility is a HuSa daab from the Achang in southern Yunnan. They make fine quality swords and are culturally related to the Shan, who are found in northern Thailand, the Shan States of south-eastern Burma/Myanmar, and southern Yunnan. I'm thinking this sword was made it that general area.

I doubt that this is a Burman dha. It would be good to see pictures of the spine which you mention as indicating a Burmese origin.

Hi Ian,

Thanks for your comments, I have the benefit of course of having the sword in hand and I am quite sure the tip has not seen significant losses or reshaping. This is an uncommon but not unknown tip form and was definitely made this way.

I'm including a few images of the spine and decoration, these elements taken as a group are what leads me to attribute it as Burmese, although I do not mean it is an ethnicallly Bamar sword. In fact another that I am attaching is very similar in terms of the blade profile although a lot more bling! That one was sold some years ago by a dealer.

It very likely is from the north of Burma and could easily be from as far north as Yunnan. As you well know the same ethnic groups can be found on both sides including the Shan. I don't think we can put an exact ethnic label on this piece but I am quite confident it is from within the modern borders of Burma.

[Iain]

Originally Posted by kai

Nice one, Iain!

Can it be attributed to one of the highland groups?

BTW, looks like the hilt is made from rattan rather than bamboo.

Regards,
Kai

Hi Kai, its bamboo I am fairly sure. Most likely the variety known as "iron bamboo" and in this case its solid rather than hollow.

Attribution is quite difficult and I would hesitate to name a particular group with any certainty.