Old Ivory Hilted Billao Dagger For Comment
 

Hi Guys

This just arrived today. A very nice ivory hilted Billao dagger with providence.
The blade is 9-10 inches long with the bluing about 98% full the ivory is in excellent condition with a heavy silver finale at the end. The scabbard is complete with belt still attach. The writing on the scabbard tip reads To Sir George Le Hunte Trinadad July 17 1914. I did some research and found the Sir George Le Hunte was the governor of Trinadad at that time he as also governor of an Australian territory during the early 1900s. Well hear are some pics let me know what you think? Hear is some more info on the former owner.

George Ruthven Le Hunte (1852–1925) was a Governor of South Australia from 1 July 1903 until 18 February 1909, soon after federation of Australia. Prior to that, he had served as Lieutenant-Governor of British New Guinea and President of Dominica.

As Governor, he became the first patron of the Royal Automobile Association of South Australia when it was formed in 1903.

He was later Governor of Trinidad and Tobago from 1909 to 1916.



Lew

As I don't know weapons from this area, I can't make any comments other than "Outstanding!". A beautiful piece.

Steve

Hi Lew,
A most appealling knife very nice, I very much like the contrast between light and dark. Is that real blue, the type of process more normally associated with gilding and other fancy finnishes or the creative use of iron scale like this one, it is very hard to be sure from the picture. Tim
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/jamhappy/L.jpg

Tim

I don't know what technique the smith use to darken the blade but I did read somewhere that those Somali spears were darkened using seseme oil.


Lew

Lew.
I do not think it is blued as on presentation swords but who really cares :p You just have to admire the beautiful subtle use of contrasts, colour and materials. Tim

Seems like a wonderful piece. Not a chip or problem with the ivory. Complete. Congrads. ;)