Unknown Thai Chopper

[Ian]

Picked this one up from Artzi in Timonium last month. Artzi purchased it in Bangkok years ago. I have not done anything to it and I don't think Artzi had touched it in many years -- basically "as is" from when he acquired it.

Quite a chopper with a heavy blade that has a concave cutting edge and is sharpened on the squared-off end as well. The edge shows evidence of hardening, as can be seen in the pictures. The spine of the blade has three brass or copper inlays, with filed crosses in between. Our on-the-ground sources in Thailand say that the designs on the blade's spine come from the northern area of the country, around Chiang Mai, and that they are purely decorative with no known meaning or significance (thanks to Dan Wilke for that information).

Additional inlays are found on the blade, with incised desigs that resemble vines and foliage. The inlays may be flowers or fruit in the overall design.

The handle is bamboo and has darkened from frequent handling in the past. Hard to judge its age, but seems to be at least 100 years old.

Artzi and I talked about whether this one was made primarily as a weapon or as something with a more utilitarian purpose. We agreed that the amount of work on the blade suggested far more than a "tool" and that it was probably a weapon (or possibly a ceremonial object). In any case it would deliver a nasty blow.

OAL = 29.5 inches Blade = 9.5 inches