I say Africa, you say?

Tim Simmons · 19th October 2007, 11:49 AM

Looking more closely with my 10x loop. I think this may indeed have some age. The decoration was that stuff known as koftgari however it is spelled. The surface of the steel scabbard and handle are completely covered in very fine scoring. Amazing how the blade is spotless, I guess it only takes a second to keep it clean?

dennee · 19th October 2007, 01:10 PM

I found another example of a Tibetan pen case that's a little simpler in construction than the last but has gold koftgari. Koftgari, especially in silver, was a very common decoration on iron (on belts, scabbards, etc.) in Tibet, usually heavily Chinese-influenced in motifs.

There are a number of references to substantial pen cases being used as a weapon of opportunity, as a cosh, in self-defense. It would be interesting to see that such items were also transformed into concealed weapons of a still more lethal character. The police/athlete/thug/etc. monks known as "Dob-dobs" were known to frequently carry concealed knives.

Tim Simmons · 19th October 2007, 01:45 PM

Thanks dennee that's so helpful. I now rather fancy I did quite well.

Henk · 19th October 2007, 06:48 PM

Tim,

Are you going to clean it so that the koftgari becomes visible? And if so a description of the process with pictures?
Looks like a nice find again.

Tim Simmons · 19th October 2007, 07:16 PM

Thanks Henk another good buy you say, it must be due to my new hearing aid.
There really is not much more koftgari to see just specks of it all over the item. It is best just left alone to go dark again.

katana · 19th October 2007, 07:53 PM

My 'off the cuff' suggestion is obviously wrong

I have read that a few soldiers made momento's of the Zulu wars (a la 'trench art') and this seemed an ideal candidate. Well spotted Dennee, a pen case it is

the idea that it could be used as a cosh seems valid with those bulbous ends.

Still a very interesting object Tim, it is a shame the decoration has deteriated.... the clues it could have given you

Tim Simmons · 20th October 2007, 10:32 AM

This is interesting. A good addition to the MET publication "Warriors of the Himalayas" many of the photographs are the but with a little more information.
http://www.rel.su.se/Papers/Tibetan%...y%20Reform.pdf

19th October 2007, 01:10 PM	#2
dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 186	I found another example of a Tibetan pen case that's a little simpler in construction than the last but has gold koftgari. Koftgari, especially in silver, was a very common decoration on iron (on belts, scabbards, etc.) in Tibet, usually heavily Chinese-influenced in motifs. There are a number of references to substantial pen cases being used as a weapon of opportunity, as a cosh, in self-defense. It would be interesting to see that such items were also transformed into concealed weapons of a still more lethal character. The police/athlete/thug/etc. monks known as "Dob-dobs" were known to frequently carry concealed knives. Attached Images

19th October 2007, 11:49 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	Looking more closely with my 10x loop. I think this may indeed have some age. The decoration was that stuff known as koftgari however it is spelled. The surface of the steel scabbard and handle are completely covered in very fine scoring. Amazing how the blade is spotless, I guess it only takes a second to keep it clean?

19th October 2007, 01:45 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	Thanks dennee that's so helpful. I now rather fancy I did quite well.

19th October 2007, 06:48 PM	#4
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Tim, Are you going to clean it so that the koftgari becomes visible? And if so a description of the process with pictures? Looks like a nice find again.

19th October 2007, 07:16 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	Thanks Henk another good buy you say, it must be due to my new hearing aid. There really is not much more koftgari to see just specks of it all over the item. It is best just left alone to go dark again.

19th October 2007, 07:53 PM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	My 'off the cuff' suggestion is obviously wrong I have read that a few soldiers made momento's of the Zulu wars (a la 'trench art') and this seemed an ideal candidate. Well spotted Dennee, a pen case it is the idea that it could be used as a cosh seems valid with those bulbous ends. Still a very interesting object Tim, it is a shame the decoration has deteriated.... the clues it could have given you

20th October 2007, 10:32 AM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	This is interesting. A good addition to the MET publication "Warriors of the Himalayas" many of the photographs are the but with a little more information. http://www.rel.su.se/Papers/Tibetan%...y%20Reform.pdf