Help ID modern Dha(?) with carved ivory handle

bernard_levine · 29th November 2006, 07:29 AM

Hello folks

"Newbie" here. (New here, anyway).

I've been asked to ID and maybe even appraise this evidently well made but oddly impractical seeming knife.
It appears to be a recent souvenir, but of high quality. It has lost its scabbard.

The owner tested the blade with a magnet, and it did not stick.
He suspects it is bronze, or perhaps patinated brass.
I don't know.

I asked a collector of Javanese and Malayan edged weapons,
and he said it is probably not from there.
He said Burma might be a possibility, as the ferrule shape is reminiscent of a Dha,
and there is quite a bit of commercial ivory carving done in Burma now.

For example see picture 33 here.

http://www.asianart.com/articles/ivory/index.html

* * *

So... do you recognize it? Seen something similar on your travels? Have a guesstimate of value?

Thanks!

BRL...

www.knife-expert.com

Ian · 29th November 2006, 04:08 PM

Hi Bernard:

Welcome to the Forum. As a matter of forum policy we do not provide financial appraisals on line but many of our members do talk about this via PM or email. I will send you a PM shortly with what I think this knife may be worth today.

It is a typical Burmese knife or small dha. The hilt is characteristically Burmese in its ferrule and the ivory (?) carving. I always query "ivory" on recently made pieces, as this one appears to be, because there is so much immitation ivory around.

That said, it is a nicely made knife in the traditional style. Is there a sheath?

Will be in touch later today.

Regards,

Ian Greaves.

Lew · 29th November 2006, 09:09 PM

Ian

I agree with you on the hilt being recently made but it is possible the blade could be older it's hard to tell from the photo. Can we define recently made? Does this mean 2000-present or 1980- present?

Lew

bernard_levine · 29th November 2006, 09:36 PM

Thanks guys.

No scabbard with it.

I can't be certain if it is real ivory, having only seen the photos.

Could the blade be brass??? Seems odd. Although I have seen lots of those Thai souvenir folding knives with bright brass blades. Much easier to work than steel, and does not rust!

BRL...

Lew · 30th November 2006, 04:36 AM

Bernard

I have adjusted the photo and it looks like rust to me so the blade is steel and not brass.

Lew

Andrew · 30th November 2006, 05:01 AM

Bernard, thank you for sharing that ivory carving article!

spiral · 30th November 2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Bernard

I have adjusted the photo and it looks like rust to me so the blade is steel and not brass.

Lew

Louie, Bernards 4th sentace is "The owner tested the blade with a magnet, and it did not stick. "

So rusty steel seems unlikley?

Spiral

Lew · 30th November 2006, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiral

Louie, Bernards 4th sentace is "The owner tested the blade with a magnet, and it did not stick. "

So rusty steel seems unlikley?

Spiral

Sorry

I missed that

That is what I get for replying to posts when I am still half asleep

Lew

Rich · 30th November 2006, 06:13 PM

Hmmmm, I was sure it was a brass Thai bowie knife :-)

(sorry, private joke)

Rich S
(the sharp, pointy thing non-expert)

Ian · 30th November 2006, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Can we define recently made? Does this mean 2000-present or 1980- present?

Lew

Second half of 20th C. -- probably post 1980 -- would be my guess, but soooo hard to tell without direct examination, and even then it is not easy to be more specific.

Ia.

29th November 2006, 07:29 AM	#1
bernard_levine Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2	Help ID modern Dha(?) with carved ivory handle Hello folks "Newbie" here. (New here, anyway). I've been asked to ID and maybe even appraise this evidently well made but oddly impractical seeming knife. It appears to be a recent souvenir, but of high quality. It has lost its scabbard. The owner tested the blade with a magnet, and it did not stick. He suspects it is bronze, or perhaps patinated brass. I don't know. I asked a collector of Javanese and Malayan edged weapons, and he said it is probably not from there. He said Burma might be a possibility, as the ferrule shape is reminiscent of a Dha, and there is quite a bit of commercial ivory carving done in Burma now. For example see picture 33 here. http://www.asianart.com/articles/ivory/index.html * * * So... do you recognize it? Seen something similar on your travels? Have a guesstimate of value? Thanks! BRL... www.knife-expert.com

29th November 2006, 04:08 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Interestiing knife -- Burmese ... Hi Bernard: Welcome to the Forum. As a matter of forum policy we do not provide financial appraisals on line but many of our members do talk about this via PM or email. I will send you a PM shortly with what I think this knife may be worth today. It is a typical Burmese knife or small dha. The hilt is characteristically Burmese in its ferrule and the ivory (?) carving. I always query "ivory" on recently made pieces, as this one appears to be, because there is so much immitation ivory around. That said, it is a nicely made knife in the traditional style. Is there a sheath? Will be in touch later today. Regards, Ian Greaves.

30th November 2006, 04:36 AM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Bernard I have adjusted the photo and it looks like rust to me so the blade is steel and not brass. Lew Attached Images

30th November 2006, 06:13 PM	#9
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Hmmmm, I was sure it was a brass Thai bowie knife :-) (sorry, private joke) Rich S (the sharp, pointy thing non-expert) Last edited by Rich; 30th November 2006 at 06:38 PM.

29th November 2006, 09:09 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Ian I agree with you on the hilt being recently made but it is possible the blade could be older it's hard to tell from the photo. Can we define recently made? Does this mean 2000-present or 1980- present? Lew

29th November 2006, 09:36 PM	#4
bernard_levine Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2	Thanks guys. No scabbard with it. I can't be certain if it is real ivory, having only seen the photos. Could the blade be brass??? Seems odd. Although I have seen lots of those Thai souvenir folding knives with bright brass blades. Much easier to work than steel, and does not rust! BRL...

30th November 2006, 05:01 AM	#6
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Bernard, thank you for sharing that ivory carving article!