Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons

 
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
Old 1st January 2007, 07:04 AM   #3
Philip
Member
 
Philip's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: California
Posts: 1,036
Default

This saber was mounted up as a type of "guom" (narrow-bladed Vietnamese saber) with an open hilt (i.e. without knucklebow) and downcurving "pistol grip" handle. For the most part, it is a classic example of the genre, and let me quote a description by Charles Buttin of an analogous piece sold by the now-defunct Anderson Galleries in New York, 14/15 May 1926, Sale No. 2076, lot 204

"....Indo-Chinese, 18th century, Curved sword. The blade with lateral channel is of European make, it bears marks of four crosses and the date 1764. The octagonal guard is of copper, silver enriched. The hilt, silver-mounted, is of old ivory carved in octagons, squares, and a leaf. The silver-mounted scabbard of native wood , is encrusted in mother-of-pearl with birds, flowers, butterflies, bats, fruit, and leaves. Length about 82cm"

The sword, which sold for the princely sum of $45, is depicted sheathed in a B/W group photo of several lots. The profile of the hilt is quite similar to that on Nick's example, as is the shape of the scabbard fittings. The main point of departure is the material of the sheath itself. The auction lot has a scabbard of purely traditional design and workmanship, whereas Nick's is metal.

One thing about Nick's specimen that is interesting and atypical for Vietnamese weapons is the use of gemstones as decoration on the metal fittings.
Philip is offline   Reply With Quote
 

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:49 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.