Ivory handle knife for comment. Arabic translation?

Battara · 20th September 2006, 04:47 PM

I guess it could be a little bit wide for a "bichaq" but certainly it is Bosnian without question. Nice example Bill. Not too crazy about these, but I do llike yours.

Doug M · 20th September 2006, 07:33 PM

Could you post some close-up shots of the handle to show, if possible, some of the ivory grain? I would like a better inspection of the handle to have a better idea if it is actually ivory. It looks like it could be bone, but that could be a mater of the photography. That is a problem with photographing ivory...

Sincerely,

Doug Mullane

Bill M · 20th September 2006, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug M

Could you post some close-up shots of the handle to show, if possible, some of the ivory grain? I would like a better inspection of the handle to have a better idea if it is actually ivory. It looks like it could be bone, but that could be a mater of the photography. That is a problem with photographing ivory...

Sincerely,

Doug Mullane

Sure. Looks like ivory to me.

Valjhun · 20th September 2006, 08:42 PM

And here is my pair.

not2sharp · 20th September 2006, 11:19 PM

Bill,

I still think your sheath looks like it is covered in reptile hide.

n2s

Bill M · 20th September 2006, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by not2sharp

Bill,

I still think your sheath looks like it is covered in reptile hide.

n2s

Sorry N2S, it looks like it in the pix, but it is brass and some white metal.

not2sharp · 21st September 2006, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Marsh

Sorry N2S, it looks like it in the pix, but it is brass and some white metal.

Darn those pictures are tricky.

Unfortunately, that last set, leaves me with the impression that the handle is bone. I see what looks like pores for a vascular system (all of those tiny brown and red specs).

n2s

Doug M · 22nd September 2006, 05:15 PM

Just got back in...

One reason why my request may have seemed so guarded is because photography of ivory can be, well, particular. And I have been in contact with eBay sellers, for instance, who have been very defensive about their "ivory."

But not2sharp points out what I was wondering about. The cracks were also throwing me off since ivory ages and cracks. But is this due to the metal in the handle? Essentially, when I saw the first set of pictures, I thought, "That is bone." It is not uncommon to mistake ivory for bone. Maybe I can post some very old eBay pictures (a decade old, literally) of objects that are obviously bone but were sold as ivory.

Maybe one or two forumites who own similar pieces could shoot a close-up shot or two of his or her handle(s) to offer some comparison. Ivory that ages varies in color, cracks, etc. So while this comparison will not be as much a matter of A = B, it will offer more perspective. A grain should be visible at least, yet whether the camera will capture it or not is another matter.

Regardless, the piece looks nice, and that is the point, I suppose (from a collector's perspective, I mean). I would be happy with a piece like that.

You could take it to an antique dealer or auction gallery that usually sells ivory, and that person should be able to give you an assessment right away, the benefit being she or he will see the handle up close. This is, of course, only if the handle's material is a concern...

Sincerely,

Doug M

Lew · 22nd September 2006, 06:56 PM

Bill

A real nice dagger. The hilt seems to be bone and not ivory. The way to confirm if it's ivory is to look for the cross hatch matrix in the ivory. If you are really upset about it not being ivory please feel free to send it to me. It will have a good home here in N.J.

Lew

20th September 2006, 08:42 PM	#4
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	And here is my pair. Attached Images

20th September 2006, 04:47 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I guess it could be a little bit wide for a "bichaq" but certainly it is Bosnian without question. Nice example Bill. Not too crazy about these, but I do llike yours.

20th September 2006, 07:33 PM	#2
Doug M Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 10	Could you post some close-up shots of the handle to show, if possible, some of the ivory grain? I would like a better inspection of the handle to have a better idea if it is actually ivory. It looks like it could be bone, but that could be a mater of the photography. That is a problem with photographing ivory... Sincerely, Doug Mullane

20th September 2006, 11:19 PM	#5
not2sharp Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 210	Bill, I still think your sheath looks like it is covered in reptile hide. n2s

22nd September 2006, 05:15 PM	#8
Doug M Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 10	Just got back in... One reason why my request may have seemed so guarded is because photography of ivory can be, well, particular. And I have been in contact with eBay sellers, for instance, who have been very defensive about their "ivory." But not2sharp points out what I was wondering about. The cracks were also throwing me off since ivory ages and cracks. But is this due to the metal in the handle? Essentially, when I saw the first set of pictures, I thought, "That is bone." It is not uncommon to mistake ivory for bone. Maybe I can post some very old eBay pictures (a decade old, literally) of objects that are obviously bone but were sold as ivory. Maybe one or two forumites who own similar pieces could shoot a close-up shot or two of his or her handle(s) to offer some comparison. Ivory that ages varies in color, cracks, etc. So while this comparison will not be as much a matter of A = B, it will offer more perspective. A grain should be visible at least, yet whether the camera will capture it or not is another matter. Regardless, the piece looks nice, and that is the point, I suppose (from a collector's perspective, I mean). I would be happy with a piece like that. You could take it to an antique dealer or auction gallery that usually sells ivory, and that person should be able to give you an assessment right away, the benefit being she or he will see the handle up close. This is, of course, only if the handle's material is a concern... Sincerely, Doug M

22nd September 2006, 06:56 PM	#9
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Bill A real nice dagger. The hilt seems to be bone and not ivory. The way to confirm if it's ivory is to look for the cross hatch matrix in the ivory. If you are really upset about it not being ivory please feel free to send it to me. It will have a good home here in N.J. Lew