Kerala knife

Tim Simmons · 13th March 2006, 09:40 PM

I have brought this to the surface because Lew suggested this bowie was from Madras which is the state of Tamill Nadu to the east of Kerala. look at the decoration on the handle. I am told by my brother inlaw who lives in Madras or should I say Chennai, that there is considerable cultural cross over/links and trade with Burma in the past. He is on the large side and said the food was very similar. I feel it is clear there is some relationship in the origin of these to knives.

Ian · 13th March 2006, 10:12 PM

Hi Tim:

Great knife -- very interesting mix of cultures. The hilt appears brass, and the cross guard looks European in style to me. But the blade is definitely Burmish. That koftgari style is typical of Burmese decoration, with the scrolls and spirals being characteristic (what is sometimes called "Burmese roccoco").

I'm going to speculate about this one because you mentioned trade between Burma and Madras (Chennai). I think this is a Burmese blade originally, that was later reworked and rehilted for a European. And I will suggest that the European was most likely Portuguese or British. Portuguese mercenaries were prominent in Burma, dating from before the Anglo-Burmese Wars in the 19th C., and of course the British assumed increasing influence in Burma during the 19th C. as a result of those conflicts. The remodeling of the blade in a "Bowie" style, the addition of a European-style cross guard, and a sculpted bronze hilt suggest adaptation for a Westerner; the wooden sheath is evocative of the leather European sheaths with silver mounts top and bottom seen in the second half of the 19th C.

All this suggests to me a late 19th C. origin for this interesting knife. Thanks for showing it to us.

Regards,

Ian.

Oriental-Arms · 16th March 2006, 10:11 AM

Here is one example:

with gold and silver inlay on the blade:

and another one:

It should be mentioned here that while traveling in Rajhstan, I have seen several similar ones where the dealers / owners claimed it to be a Rajhastani knife, but I im inclined more toward the Kerala origin

Ian · 16th March 2006, 02:52 PM

Thanks Artzi. I thought you had a couple of these. Beautiful knives.

Ian.

Tim Simmons · 16th March 2006, 04:04 PM

How very helpful, although mine is a bowie style knife the scabbard could almost be from one of the other knives in it's similarity. Certainly a south India origin.

Montino Bourbon · 17th March 2006, 05:40 AM

Ian, it's amazing how much that knife resembles in shape a modern chef's knife!

Could you slice and dice your enemies with that?

Tim Simmons · 17th March 2006, 06:06 PM

The big Khyber knives must have been made so that you could cut onions without crying.

Ian · 17th March 2006, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montino Bourbon

Ian, it's amazing how much that knife resembles in shape a modern chef's knife!

Could you slice and dice your enemies with that?

No doubt one could slice and dice very finely with that puppy.

13th March 2006, 09:40 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	I have brought this to the surface because Lew suggested this bowie was from Madras which is the state of Tamill Nadu to the east of Kerala. look at the decoration on the handle. I am told by my brother inlaw who lives in Madras or should I say Chennai, that there is considerable cultural cross over/links and trade with Burma in the past. He is on the large side and said the food was very similar. I feel it is clear there is some relationship in the origin of these to knives. Attached Images

13th March 2006, 10:12 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Interesting!!! Hi Tim: Great knife -- very interesting mix of cultures. The hilt appears brass, and the cross guard looks European in style to me. But the blade is definitely Burmish. That koftgari style is typical of Burmese decoration, with the scrolls and spirals being characteristic (what is sometimes called "Burmese roccoco"). I'm going to speculate about this one because you mentioned trade between Burma and Madras (Chennai). I think this is a Burmese blade originally, that was later reworked and rehilted for a European. And I will suggest that the European was most likely Portuguese or British. Portuguese mercenaries were prominent in Burma, dating from before the Anglo-Burmese Wars in the 19th C., and of course the British assumed increasing influence in Burma during the 19th C. as a result of those conflicts. The remodeling of the blade in a "Bowie" style, the addition of a European-style cross guard, and a sculpted bronze hilt suggest adaptation for a Westerner; the wooden sheath is evocative of the leather European sheaths with silver mounts top and bottom seen in the second half of the 19th C. All this suggests to me a late 19th C. origin for this interesting knife. Thanks for showing it to us. Regards, Ian.

16th March 2006, 10:11 AM	#3
Oriental-Arms Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Haifa, Israel Posts: 183	Kerala knife Here is one example: with gold and silver inlay on the blade: and another one: It should be mentioned here that while traveling in Rajhstan, I have seen several similar ones where the dealers / owners claimed it to be a Rajhastani knife, but I im inclined more toward the Kerala origin

16th March 2006, 02:52 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Thanks Artzi. I thought you had a couple of these. Beautiful knives. Ian.

16th March 2006, 04:04 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	How very helpful, although mine is a bowie style knife the scabbard could almost be from one of the other knives in it's similarity. Certainly a south India origin.

17th March 2006, 05:40 AM	#6
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	Ian, it's amazing how much that knife resembles in shape a modern chef's knife! Could you slice and dice your enemies with that?

17th March 2006, 06:06 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	The big Khyber knives must have been made so that you could cut onions without crying.