Bichwa for comment

russel · 21st February 2014, 10:23 PM

Hi Guys,

I picked up this Bichwa on eBay late last year, incorrectly listed as a Keris. I have wanted one of these for quite some time. I would appreciate thoughts and opinions about this, particularly if anyone could make a guess as to its age.

Cheesr - Russel

russel · 21st February 2014, 10:25 PM

Dimensions:
OAL 240mm
Blade 135mm
Thickness 2.4mm widening to 4.1mm

Jens Nordlunde · 21st February 2014, 10:46 PM

Hi Russel,
I have tried to make one of you pictures lighter, so it is easier to see the details.
Jens

russel · 21st February 2014, 11:30 PM

Thanks Jens, that makes the detail a lot clearer, I must start editing my images a little better.

russel · 26th February 2014, 11:55 PM

Bump

russel · 2nd October 2014, 06:12 AM

I posted this a while ago, but it seems to have gone unnoticed. Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Russel

Oliver Pinchot · 2nd October 2014, 06:37 AM

Russel, a good close up or two of the floral motif and dentated borders on the grip will really help.

estcrh · 2nd October 2014, 09:43 AM

Your bichwa and this one from Runjeet are very similar, to me they have the same blade attachment style as katar labeled as Tanjore. Runjeet described his as

Quote:

from the 17th or early 18th Century, and probably from the Deccan area of India.

Oliver Pinchot · 2nd October 2014, 06:11 PM

It probably is comparable with Runjeet's example. Details of the decoration will make it possible to confirm it.

russel · 2nd October 2014, 09:57 PM

Thanks guys, I'll try to post a few better images in the next few days.

russel · 8th October 2014, 11:40 AM

Here are a few more close-up shots.

Oliver Pinchot · 22nd October 2014, 05:21 PM

Good pics, Russel. The motifs are well-chiseled, if worn.
Its origin and dating appear to be comparable with Runjeet's.

russel · 23rd October 2014, 09:39 PM

Thanks guys,

Great to read your assessment. That makes this little beast almost certainly the oldest item in my collection! I was quite sure it had some age to it, but I imagined early 19th Century, I certainly didn't think it may be as old as 17th Century!

I have read that Bichwa fell out of favour and become somewhat uncommon, does anyone have any thoughts on what was the predominant period of use of these?

Thanks again,
Russel

21st February 2014, 10:23 PM	#1
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Bichwa for comment Hi Guys, I picked up this Bichwa on eBay late last year, incorrectly listed as a Keris. I have wanted one of these for quite some time. I would appreciate thoughts and opinions about this, particularly if anyone could make a guess as to its age. Cheesr - Russel Attached Images

21st February 2014, 10:46 PM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Russel, I have tried to make one of you pictures lighter, so it is easier to see the details. Jens Attached Images

2nd October 2014, 06:11 PM	#9
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 457	It probably is comparable with Runjeet's example. Details of the decoration will make it possible to confirm it. Last edited by Oliver Pinchot; 2nd October 2014 at 08:24 PM.

8th October 2014, 11:40 AM	#11
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Here are a few more close-up shots. Attached Images

23rd October 2014, 09:39 PM	#13
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Thankyou Thanks guys, Great to read your assessment. That makes this little beast almost certainly the oldest item in my collection! I was quite sure it had some age to it, but I imagined early 19th Century, I certainly didn't think it may be as old as 17th Century! I have read that Bichwa fell out of favour and become somewhat uncommon, does anyone have any thoughts on what was the predominant period of use of these? Thanks again, Russel

21st February 2014, 10:25 PM	#2
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Dimensions: OAL 240mm Blade 135mm Thickness 2.4mm widening to 4.1mm

21st February 2014, 11:30 PM	#4
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Thanks Jens, that makes the detail a lot clearer, I must start editing my images a little better.

26th February 2014, 11:55 PM	#5
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Bump

2nd October 2014, 06:12 AM	#6
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	I posted this a while ago, but it seems to have gone unnoticed. Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated. Russel

2nd October 2014, 06:37 AM	#7
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 457	Russel, a good close up or two of the floral motif and dentated borders on the grip will really help.

2nd October 2014, 09:57 PM	#10
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Thanks guys, I'll try to post a few better images in the next few days.

22nd October 2014, 05:21 PM	#12
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 457	Good pics, Russel. The motifs are well-chiseled, if worn. Its origin and dating appear to be comparable with Runjeet's.