A Burmese Dha Dagger with Haunting Hilt

[CharlesS]

This was a recent purchase from Ebay. I was fascinated by the unique hilt. The remainder of the dagger is quite common. The hilt, though, is very unique and I have not seen one similar. By Burmese ivory carving standards this is very average work, but the subject matter is fascinating.

The figure has a shaved head save for a central tuft of hair, budging eyes, and holds(literally!) his mouth wide open while covering one ear and squatting with an erect phallus.

He seems something between horrific(reminds me of a character in the horror movie The Grudge) or comical....as if he has hemorrhoids or just found out be has a sexually transmitted disease!

The dagger is 14in. overall, with a 7.5in. blade.

Is anyone familiar with this figure a Burmese character or mythological figure???

[Royston]

This is nice Charles.

I do not have anything like it myself but a friend has some carved hilts mostly of long thin birds, probably storks.
This one could have been carved by Edvard Munch perhaps

Roy

[Sajen]

Hello Charles,

was bidding also, beautiful little dha dagger. Could be a dha from a monk, priest or shamen, I see signs engraved at the backside of the handle.

Regards,

Detlef

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Charles,

was bidding also, beautiful little dha dagger. Could be a dha from a monk, priest or shamen, I see signs engraved at the backside of the handle.

Regards,

Detlef

Thanks Roy and Detlef. You are exactly right Detlef. It is a knife with religious connotations.