Wavy dagger

Congoblades · 14th January 2015, 04:38 PM

Hi,
34 cm. Any thought about the origin?

colin henshaw · 16th January 2015, 02:48 PM

As no one else has commented...I don't really know where the knife is from, but its an intriguing piece. The blade looks Indian in form, as found on a "bichwa" dagger. The rest maybe European in inspiration, so perhaps a cross-cultural type piece. Great form, I like it !

Congoblades · 16th January 2015, 08:59 PM

Thanks Colin for your opinion.

I just found this knife on the net, simular blade, simular guard, different handle.
"Couteau d'esprit indonesien à lame dans le goût des kriss, poignée en bois" 33 cm

Sajen · 16th January 2015, 10:05 PM

Unusual dagger! Never have seen something similar but by the look to the handle I would say that it have an Indonesian touch.

Regards,
Detlef

DaveA · 18th January 2015, 06:02 PM

The shape of the pommel is reminiscent of the "makara" motif found on Mysore edged weapons. See photos attached for an example.

"Traditionally, a makara is considered to be an aquatic creature, and some traditional accounts identify it with crocodile, whereas some other accounts identify it with dolphin. Still others portray it as a fish body with an elephant's head. The tradition identifies the makar with water, the source of all existence and fertility. In astronomy, it is the sign of capricorn, one of the twelve symbols of the Zodiac. In Indian art, the makara finds expression in the form of motifs, and has been so portrayed in different styles both on Buddhist monuments and on royal thrones"

(Sorry, can't remember source of quote!)

Dave A.

14th January 2015, 04:38 PM	#1
Congoblades Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 171	Wavy dagger Hi, 34 cm. Any thought about the origin? Attached Images

16th January 2015, 08:59 PM	#3
Congoblades Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 171	Thanks Colin for your opinion. I just found this knife on the net, simular blade, simular guard, different handle. "Couteau d'esprit indonesien à lame dans le goût des kriss, poignée en bois" 33 cm Attached Images

18th January 2015, 06:02 PM	#5
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Makara pommel The shape of the pommel is reminiscent of the "makara" motif found on Mysore edged weapons. See photos attached for an example. "Traditionally, a makara is considered to be an aquatic creature, and some traditional accounts identify it with crocodile, whereas some other accounts identify it with dolphin. Still others portray it as a fish body with an elephant's head. The tradition identifies the makar with water, the source of all existence and fertility. In astronomy, it is the sign of capricorn, one of the twelve symbols of the Zodiac. In Indian art, the makara finds expression in the form of motifs, and has been so portrayed in different styles both on Buddhist monuments and on royal thrones" (Sorry, can't remember source of quote!) Dave A. Attached Images

16th January 2015, 02:48 PM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	As no one else has commented...I don't really know where the knife is from, but its an intriguing piece. The blade looks Indian in form, as found on a "bichwa" dagger. The rest maybe European in inspiration, so perhaps a cross-cultural type piece. Great form, I like it !

16th January 2015, 10:05 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,794	Unusual dagger! Never have seen something similar but by the look to the handle I would say that it have an Indonesian touch. Regards, Detlef