Bronze Dagger

fearn · 9th July 2005, 02:14 PM

I'm with Tim on this one. Those characters look like some version of Chinese, not African characters (hieroglpyhs?)

More importantly, the truly fresh-minted condition of a weapon that (if genuine) would be, oh, 2,000 years old or so, kinda makes me think that it's a bit more recent. It might well have been found in an expedition to EBay country, for instance.

F

Battara · 9th July 2005, 02:48 PM

This is Chinese with copied ancient Chinese script. Ancient Chinese script was more pictographic in nature because it came from pictographs.

Jens Nordlunde · 9th July 2005, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

This is Chinese with copied ancient Chinese script. Ancient Chinese script was more pictographic in nature because it came from pictographs.

You mean, like in a cartoon, when someone swears, you see dark clouds, daggers, lightening, sculls and so on

.

BluErf · 10th July 2005, 01:49 PM

The characters could approximate some ancient Chinese script, but I have a feeling they are just gibberish. Some of the characters just look out of place, like the "hourglass" character.

45Auto · 12th July 2005, 08:55 PM

Hi everyone. Sorry I was away from my own post for so long. Thanks for your insight regarding this dagger.

I discussed with the owner your various observations. The owner has some additional information:

The blade and handle are cast of the same metal.

Another collector told the owner that he thought it looked like it came from Tibet. He was told that the writing on the blade may be an early form of Tibetan writing of about 300 + years ago. However, the other collector did not get back with him regardng the writing.

The patina is deaper and does not look applied. There is a sort of blueish oxidation under the bronze oxidation. It appears the dagger was never under the ground, but was more likely kept as a ceramonial item above ground.

Thanks,
Greg

Battara · 12th July 2005, 10:28 PM

Hate to say, I have seen Tibetan script and even old Tibetan script - don't think it is Tibetan. I am more inclined with BluErf - Chinese jibberish.

Also, they stick some of these things in the most acidic soil they can find - the fakers I mean - and can get real looking patina for half of the age. I may be wrong, but I am on the side of a copy.

Best to take it to a museum or "experts" who can see this thing up close and in person.

fearn · 13th July 2005, 12:23 AM

Here's a general source to help with identifying scripts:

http://www.omniglot.com

12th July 2005, 08:55 PM	#5
45Auto Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 16	Hi everyone. Sorry I was away from my own post for so long. Thanks for your insight regarding this dagger. I discussed with the owner your various observations. The owner has some additional information: The blade and handle are cast of the same metal. Another collector told the owner that he thought it looked like it came from Tibet. He was told that the writing on the blade may be an early form of Tibetan writing of about 300 + years ago. However, the other collector did not get back with him regardng the writing. The patina is deaper and does not look applied. There is a sort of blueish oxidation under the bronze oxidation. It appears the dagger was never under the ground, but was more likely kept as a ceramonial item above ground. Thanks, Greg Last edited by 45Auto; 12th July 2005 at 09:33 PM.

9th July 2005, 02:14 PM	#1
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	I'm with Tim on this one. Those characters look like some version of Chinese, not African characters (hieroglpyhs?) More importantly, the truly fresh-minted condition of a weapon that (if genuine) would be, oh, 2,000 years old or so, kinda makes me think that it's a bit more recent. It might well have been found in an expedition to EBay country, for instance. F

9th July 2005, 02:48 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,308	This is Chinese with copied ancient Chinese script. Ancient Chinese script was more pictographic in nature because it came from pictographs.

10th July 2005, 01:49 PM	#4
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	The characters could approximate some ancient Chinese script, but I have a feeling they are just gibberish. Some of the characters just look out of place, like the "hourglass" character.

12th July 2005, 10:28 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,308	Hate to say, I have seen Tibetan script and even old Tibetan script - don't think it is Tibetan. I am more inclined with BluErf - Chinese jibberish. Also, they stick some of these things in the most acidic soil they can find - the fakers I mean - and can get real looking patina for half of the age. I may be wrong, but I am on the side of a copy. Best to take it to a museum or "experts" who can see this thing up close and in person.

13th July 2005, 12:23 AM	#7
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Here's a general source to help with identifying scripts: http://www.omniglot.com