Decoration on Indian blades

Jeff D · 30th January 2005, 06:09 PM

Hi Jens,

I am glad you asked about the eyes as I would like your opinion. I bought this one a couple years ago, and had the blade repolished. It has a nice pattern weld damascus. The eyes have a gummy substance that I think held in gems but they are long gone. I would like to have them replaced, and was thinking of rubies, but would like to be correct. What kind of gems do you think were original.
I have a scan of a very similar hilt from Z. Zygulski's Polish collection book but I can't make out the eyes (I don't have the original book).

Thanks
Jeff

Photo 1, My hilt
Photo 2, Zygulski's hilt

Jens Nordlunde · 30th January 2005, 08:26 PM

Hi Jeff,

Yes, you are right, the eyes are 'dead' meaning thet the stone is dead, which I doubt, somthing else it the matter.
Got the book. This is most interesting. I will try to find out more, and come back, but it looks like onyx in the book, could also be something else.
I will also show you how the Indians dealt with having a nice grip, although some did not have the money to pay for such a 'grip' - when new, it would have look exactly like the real thing:-)- later.

Jens

30th January 2005, 06:09 PM	#1
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Hi Jens, I am glad you asked about the eyes as I would like your opinion. I bought this one a couple years ago, and had the blade repolished. It has a nice pattern weld damascus. The eyes have a gummy substance that I think held in gems but they are long gone. I would like to have them replaced, and was thinking of rubies, but would like to be correct. What kind of gems do you think were original. I have a scan of a very similar hilt from Z. Zygulski's Polish collection book but I can't make out the eyes (I don't have the original book). Thanks Jeff Photo 1, My hilt Photo 2, Zygulski's hilt Attached Images

30th January 2005, 08:26 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Jeff, Yes, you are right, the eyes are 'dead' meaning thet the stone is dead, which I doubt, somthing else it the matter. Got the book. This is most interesting. I will try to find out more, and come back, but it looks like onyx in the book, could also be something else. I will also show you how the Indians dealt with having a nice grip, although some did not have the money to pay for such a 'grip' - when new, it would have look exactly like the real thing:-)- later. Jens