Staying on the Japanese Theme: Japanese Trade Blades in SE Asia

[Andrew]

Outstanding sword, DhaDha! Thanks for sharing it.

Based on the repousse work and blade markings, however, I would place the age of your sword a bit later than the Ayutthaya period and would lean more towards the late 18th/early 19th century (Rattanakosin period). Many pieces from this period evoke or are in a "revival" of Ayutthaya design.

Here is an example from my collection with similar silver work dating to the early 19th C.:

[Andrew]

The few, true, surviving Ayutthaya period swords I have handled have iron fittings, often with gold and/or silver koftgari and more...delicate (?) and refined blades and workmanship. An Ayutthaya sword from my collection:

[DhaDha]

Great swords! Really.
This is why i try not to go on record dating these things. My own opinion changes often. That said, I do feel this one be older than that estimation. But maybe a bit younger than mine. There is at least one example in the National Museum in Bangkok with a Japanese-styled silver handle attributed to the Ayutthaya period. With so many different styles of swords worn by so my different groups, I have a hard time with hard rules...

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by DhaDha

Great swords! Really.
This is why i try not to go on record dating these things. My own opinion changes often. That said, I do feel this one be older than that estimation. But maybe a bit younger than mine. There is at least one example in the National Museum in Bangkok with a Japanese-styled silver handle attributed to the Ayutthaya period. With so many different styles of swords worn by so my different groups, I have a hard time with hard rules...

Thanks.

Can't really argue with you too strenuously--my opinions on these change as well, and truly old Thai swords with reliable, documented provenance are scarce.

I will observe, however, that rattan (and other similar organic materials) like that on the handle of the top sword, does not generally survive in such good condition on swords that are 300+ years old...

[Nathaniel]

Originally Posted by Andrew

The few, true, surviving Ayutthaya period swords I have handled have iron fittings, often with gold and/or silver koftgari and more...delicate (?) and refined blades and workmanship. An Ayutthaya sword from my collection:

Andrew, breath taking piece...never get tired of seeing this one...fantastic condition.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Nathaniel

Andrew, breath taking piece...never get tired of seeing this one...fantastic condition.

Thanks, Nathaniel.