Dha/Daab Show & Tell

Titus Pullo · 14th March 2006, 07:28 AM

I wonder if there are more examples of well made and crafted Siamese swords and polearms? I know there are some that are made well; I've seen pictures of the museum collections. But I like to see though. I know that in Thai believes...when you do something, do it well and focus...don't slack off, and if you don't feel like doing it, don't it at all. You see this reflected upon the arts and crafts of Thailand, and even in the Thai martial art and military strategies. If you attack your enemies, make sure it is well planed and that you can defeat them...this is also true with Krabi-krabong (or Muay Thai), which required strength, speed, and stamana to out last and defeat your enemies. I hope you people like my insight into the Siamese cultures!

Oh, yeah...I almost forgot...and also...do it proudly, with conviction! This reminds of the Samurais and the Romans.

Andrew · 14th March 2006, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus Pullo

I wonder if there are more examples of well made and crafted Siamese swords and polearms? I know there are some that are made well; I've seen pictures of the museum collections. But I like to see though.

Dude. Try using the search feature here and in the archives.

Also, take a look at Mark's site: http://dharesearch.bowditch.us/

Mark · 14th March 2006, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus Pullo

I wonder if there are more examples of well made and crafted Siamese swords and polearms? I know there are some that are made well; I've seen pictures of the museum collections. But I like to see though. I know that in Thai believes...when you do something, do it well and focus...don't slack off, and if you don't feel like doing it, don't it at all. You see this reflected upon the arts and crafts of Thailand, and even in the Thai martial art and military strategies. If you attack your enemies, make sure it is well planed and that you can defeat them...this is also true with Krabi-krabong (or Muay Thai), which required strength, speed, and stamana to out last and defeat your enemies. I hope you people like my insight into the Siamese cultures!

Oh, yeah...I almost forgot...and also...do it proudly, with conviction! This reminds of the Samurais and the Romans.

Hooo boy, now you've started a flood!

But you asked for it ....

Thai:

more to follow ....

Mark · 14th March 2006, 04:26 PM

Shan (also a Tai people):

more to follow ...

Mark · 14th March 2006, 04:27 PM

Kachin:

Mark · 14th March 2006, 04:29 PM

Burmese:

The Dhafia has spoken! Fuhgeddaboudit.

Titus Pullo · 14th March 2006, 07:07 PM

Wow! Thank you!

RhysMichael · 15th March 2006, 01:39 AM

Mark
You left out one of my favorites in your collection.
http://dharesearch.bowditch.us/0016.htm
I do not know what it is about this sword but I something in the way it looks and more importantly feels speaks to me

Mark · 15th March 2006, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RhysMichael

Mark
You left out one of my favorites in your collection.
http://dharesearch.bowditch.us/0016.htm
I do not know what it is about this sword but I something in the way it looks and more importantly feels speaks to me

That one is my favorite, too.

You are right about the feel. This dha truly feels "alive" in the hand. Its the first one I ever bought, too, which makes it even more special.

Titus Pullo · 15th March 2006, 06:25 AM

Is the site, that shows the collection of daabs, both of you guys'? That is awesome! Are those antiques? It must worth thousands of dollars then! Did you know that a Burmese commander was killed buy an Ayutthayan soldier, the king's royal guards? He was cut from the shoulder to the waist. For all we know, one of your swords may be that sword used buy him.

Titus Pullo · 15th March 2006, 08:47 AM

Thanks for the info...PUFF! Correctly me if I'm wrong...but...isn't Rattanakosin era the decline in Siamese arts and...also cultures as a whole? The Burmese had laid waste to the great Ayutthaya and taken many captives with them...among them were artists, architecturers, Muay Thai fighters, and also black smiths. Isn't this right?

Mark · 15th March 2006, 05:01 PM

Great information, Puff. Your direct knowledge of Thai swords and techniques is wonderful to have.

Titus, the dha on my web site come from a large number of kind contributors, as well as from my own collection. The first ones, without a "C" prefix to the number, are my own. The others, designated with a number "C####" are ones contributed by other collectors.

You can see the rings Puff refers to in the bottom two swords in the post of Thai daab, and in the third sword in the post of Shan dha. In the Thai post, the swords date, from top to bottom, Ayutthaya period (probably somewhere in the middle, the 15th-16th century we are told), Lanna (northern Tai, no firm date), Lanna (same), Rattanakosin period (1768-present, this one probably 19th C), and Rattanakosin period but in the style of the Ayutthaya period.

I do not think that the Rattanakosin period can be said to be one of decline. You are correct that it followed the destruction of Ayutthaya by the Burmese, which naturally caused a set-back culturally speaking, since energies were devoted to re-building the country. But very quickly the Chakra kings revived and reinvigorated Thai culture and the arts, including the martial arts. As you can see from just the two swords I posted, they lost little or nothing in terms of swordmaking and silversmithing expertise.

Ian · 15th March 2006, 05:26 PM

Titus:

Just to add to Mark's comments. The swords on the Dha Index come from several collections, and some of these have been acquired over many years of collecting. In toto there probably is a large sum of money represented by the dha shown there, but remember prices have not been as inflated as we see today. It was possible not too long ago to acquire high end dha for less than $500, sometimes less than $200 if one was very lucky. Now the high end dha are generally selling for more than twice that amount. We have seen this cycle of excalating prices among other swords previously, and dha just seem to be following the trend set by Japanese swords and those of Islamic areas.

From a monetary perspective, I suppose the trick is to find the next area of rapid appreciation in swords. Your guess is as good as mine or anyone else's.

Ian.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus Pullo

Is the site, that shows the collection of daabs, both of you guys'? That is awesome! Are those antiques? It must worth thousands of dollars then! Did you know that a Burmese commander was killed buy an Ayutthayan soldier, the king's royal guards? He was cut from the shoulder to the waist. For all we know, one of your swords may be that sword used buy him.

Tim Simmons · 15th March 2006, 11:11 PM

I just have to add this one.

Andrew · 15th March 2006, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I just have to add this one.

Ack! You're just torturing me now, Tim.

Andrew · 16th March 2006, 12:44 AM

I think Titus is primarily interested in Thai swords. Here are some from my collection which others have seen before (probably ad naseaum

):

Sword and photo courtesy of Oriental-Arms:

Andrew · 16th March 2006, 12:54 AM

Some more:

RhysMichael · 16th March 2006, 02:48 AM

These have been seen but I am adding them anyway to show some of the diversity in dha

Mark · 16th March 2006, 03:32 AM

Are you bringing anything up to Timmonium this year, JT? I'd love to get a close look at the one with the amethyst pommel (or another one, at any rate

), and any others, too.

I can't tote up the whole load, but I'll have a few things to show around.

RhysMichael · 16th March 2006, 03:28 PM

I was going to bring the Aceh swords this year but I can certainly bring the one with the amethyst pommel also.

14th March 2006, 07:28 AM	#1
Titus Pullo Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 123	I wonder if there are more examples of well made and crafted Siamese swords and polearms? I know there are some that are made well; I've seen pictures of the museum collections. But I like to see though. I know that in Thai believes...when you do something, do it well and focus...don't slack off, and if you don't feel like doing it, don't it at all. You see this reflected upon the arts and crafts of Thailand, and even in the Thai martial art and military strategies. If you attack your enemies, make sure it is well planed and that you can defeat them...this is also true with Krabi-krabong (or Muay Thai), which required strength, speed, and stamana to out last and defeat your enemies. I hope you people like my insight into the Siamese cultures! Oh, yeah...I almost forgot...and also...do it proudly, with conviction! This reminds of the Samurais and the Romans. Last edited by Titus Pullo; 14th March 2006 at 07:41 AM.

14th March 2006, 04:26 PM	#4
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Shan dha Shan (also a Tai people): more to follow ...

14th March 2006, 04:27 PM	#5
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Kachin dao Kachin: Attached Images

14th March 2006, 04:29 PM	#6
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Burmese dha Burmese: The Dhafia has spoken! Fuhgeddaboudit.

15th March 2006, 11:11 PM	#14
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,818	I just have to add this one. Attached Images

14th March 2006, 07:07 PM	#7
Titus Pullo Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 123	Wow! Thank you!

15th March 2006, 01:39 AM	#8
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	Mark You left out one of my favorites in your collection. http://dharesearch.bowditch.us/0016.htm I do not know what it is about this sword but I something in the way it looks and more importantly feels speaks to me

15th March 2006, 06:25 AM	#10
Titus Pullo Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 123	Is the site, that shows the collection of daabs, both of you guys'? That is awesome! Are those antiques? It must worth thousands of dollars then! Did you know that a Burmese commander was killed buy an Ayutthayan soldier, the king's royal guards? He was cut from the shoulder to the waist. For all we know, one of your swords may be that sword used buy him.

15th March 2006, 08:47 AM	#11
Titus Pullo Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 123	Thanks for the info...PUFF! Correctly me if I'm wrong...but...isn't Rattanakosin era the decline in Siamese arts and...also cultures as a whole? The Burmese had laid waste to the great Ayutthaya and taken many captives with them...among them were artists, architecturers, Muay Thai fighters, and also black smiths. Isn't this right?

15th March 2006, 05:01 PM	#12
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Great information, Puff. Your direct knowledge of Thai swords and techniques is wonderful to have. Titus, the dha on my web site come from a large number of kind contributors, as well as from my own collection. The first ones, without a "C" prefix to the number, are my own. The others, designated with a number "C####" are ones contributed by other collectors. You can see the rings Puff refers to in the bottom two swords in the post of Thai daab, and in the third sword in the post of Shan dha. In the Thai post, the swords date, from top to bottom, Ayutthaya period (probably somewhere in the middle, the 15th-16th century we are told), Lanna (northern Tai, no firm date), Lanna (same), Rattanakosin period (1768-present, this one probably 19th C), and Rattanakosin period but in the style of the Ayutthaya period. I do not think that the Rattanakosin period can be said to be one of decline. You are correct that it followed the destruction of Ayutthaya by the Burmese, which naturally caused a set-back culturally speaking, since energies were devoted to re-building the country. But very quickly the Chakra kings revived and reinvigorated Thai culture and the arts, including the martial arts. As you can see from just the two swords I posted, they lost little or nothing in terms of swordmaking and silversmithing expertise.

16th March 2006, 12:44 AM	#16
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	I think Titus is primarily interested in Thai swords. Here are some from my collection which others have seen before (probably ad naseaum ): Sword and photo courtesy of Oriental-Arms: Attached Images

16th March 2006, 12:54 AM	#17
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Some more:

16th March 2006, 02:48 AM	#18
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	These have been seen but I am adding them anyway to show some of the diversity in dha

16th March 2006, 03:32 AM	#19
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Are you bringing anything up to Timmonium this year, JT? I'd love to get a close look at the one with the amethyst pommel (or another one, at any rate ), and any others, too. I can't tote up the whole load, but I'll have a few things to show around.

16th March 2006, 03:28 PM	#20
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	I was going to bring the Aceh swords this year but I can certainly bring the one with the amethyst pommel also.