A beautiful Burmese dha dated 1798

Ian · 26th February 2017, 03:00 PM

Hi Gavin:

I'm having trouble following your last few posts where you seem to jump from one group to another in pressing your case for these swords being "Burmese" in style and concept. I have no problem accepting these were made within the geographical boundaries of "Burma." What I have argued is that the style of these is inherently Tai (Shan/Thai/Lao) with the use of lotus bud pommels and segmented scabbard decorations, usually with repoussed elements. The ethnicity of the actual craftsmen is unknown, and we can speculate but we may never know exactly where and by whom these swords were actually made.

And we have this from Dan Wilke who found the sword and purchased it for Mark (see post #6 of this thread)--the emphasis is mine:

Quote:

What I'm sure Mark is too humble to tell you is that a professor in Chiang Mai had specifically requested this sword from the dealer to use in an upcoming book he will publish on the swords of the North. He at least thought it was historically significant.

I think we have exhausted this topic for the present time but it would be good to revive it when further data become available.

Thanks for all the interesting information that you provided.

Ian.

Gavin Nugent · 26th February 2017, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

The ethnicity of the actual craftsmen is unknown, and we can speculate but we may never know exactly where and by whom these swords were actually made.

Burma Ian. It has long been recorded and written about, this type of silver work found on the scabbard of the first sword in this thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

And we have this from Dan Wilke who found the sword and purchased it for Mark (see post #6 of this thread)--the emphasis is mine:

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilked aka Khun Deng

It gets better looking every time I see it. I have yet to see it's equal in a story dha. What I'm sure Mark is too humble to tell you is that a professor in Chiang Mai had specifically requested this sword from the dealer to use in an upcoming book he will publish on the swords of the North. He at least thought it was historically significant.

This is the fourth time I've seen a similiar face on the pommel of a asian sword. Two were on the pommel caps of japanese style thai swords of high ranking individuals and another on a dha. Anybody have any ideas where it comes from?

Ian.

13 years and eagerly awaiting the book and or the good professors word on the sword. Does anyone know who he is?

Does anyone have a copy they can share if it has indeed been printed?

I still stand by the point that the hilt entire has been made at a much later date as has the added panel referencing 1798, a panel which replaced this coat of arms below.

Gavin

Ian · 28th February 2017, 04:45 PM

One last comment on the original subject of this thread.

I have received comments that the head on the pommel of Mark's sword is a representation of RAHU who appears in the Vedas as the God of the Underworld and is depicted in the iconography of diverse Buddhist groups in SE Asia. Details about RAHU and his disembodied head can be found here. He is designated as the astrological god of the north pole of the moon, and more powerful than the Sun God whom he swallows during an eclipse. He's a powerful dude!

Ian.

Gavin Nugent · 1st March 2017, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

One last comment on the original subject of this thread.

I have received comments that the head on the pommel of Mark's sword is a representation of RAHU who appears in the Vedas as the God of the Underworld and is depicted in the iconography of diverse Buddhist groups in SE Asia. Details about RAHU and his disembodied head can be found here. He is designated as the astrological god of the north pole of the moon, and more powerful than the Sun God whom he swallows during an eclipse. He's a powerful dude!

Ian.

If this hilt is as I feel it is, a much later addition by Thai craftsmen it would be appropriate to say the form is Rahu as it is more often known in their iconography.
If by some miracle, this is a true marriage if hilt and blade, with regards to the iconography throughout the sword type, it should be a representation of Balu.

Gavin

Ian · 1st March 2017, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gavin Nugent

If this hilt is as I feel it is, a much later addition by Thai craftsmen it would be appropriate to say the form is Rahu as it is more often known in their iconography.
If by some miracle, this is a true marriage if hilt and blade, with regards to the iconography throughout the sword type, it should be a representation of Balu.

Gavin

Hi Gavin:

I think you mean "Belu" rather than "Balu." Balu (Baloo) is the cuddly bear character from "The Jungle Book."

Ian.

Gavin Nugent · 2nd March 2017, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi Gavin:

I think you mean "Belu" rather than "Balu." Balu (Baloo) is the cuddly bear character from "The Jungle Book."

Ian.

Ian

Either or is acceptable, or Bilu if you like :-), Beloo has been written too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythic...rmese_folklore

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilu_Island

Gavin

28th February 2017, 04:45 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	One last comment on the original subject of this thread. I have received comments that the head on the pommel of Mark's sword is a representation of RAHU who appears in the Vedas as the God of the Underworld and is depicted in the iconography of diverse Buddhist groups in SE Asia. Details about RAHU and his disembodied head can be found here. He is designated as the astrological god of the north pole of the moon, and more powerful than the Sun God whom he swallows during an eclipse. He's a powerful dude! Ian.