Vietnamese Sword

[DhaDha]

Hello. For discussion, a SE Asian Sword. I believe to be a Vietnamese Guom. While the decoration is quite a bit simpler than most I’ve seen. I'm wondering if anybody has any insight on a few features.
First, the hilt. I have not seen another example in my research that has the wire binding. I’ve seen a few examples with the simple pommel such as this. But not many. Also, the scabbard. The leather cover is unique to examples I’ve seen. I'm also curious if anyone has seen this type of decoration on the furniture? Metal inlay? What I first thought was an eagle I now think might be an interpretation of a Fenghuang.
Any insights are greatly appreciated. Cheers

[Ian]

Hello DD:

Very nice Viet guom. It is, as you say, unusual in its hilt and perhaps the scabbard. I'm wondering if this one was made for a European or at least influenced by European design.

There are a nice set of pictures of these swords on Artzi Yarom's site (oriental-arms.com)--a search for guom will turn up 11 examples. This selection shows a distinct pommel on all examples--what appears to be a tiger with the knuckle bow emerging from its mouth. The scabbards each have three metal fittings in various designs and only a couple show sturdy ring mounts for suspension.

The wire-wrapped, wooden (?) hilt on yours resembles a 19th C. cavalry saber from many parts of Europe (certainly plenty of French examples in Vietnam to base this hilt on). I have not seen a previous example of a wire-wrapped hilt on a guom.

Chinese motifs are prominent on the scabbard and nothing particularly unusual except for the depiction of a raptor (eagle or hawk). Perhaps the bird offers a clue about the owner of the sword. Certainly a nice functional complete example with a well decorated scabbard. Good find!

Ian

[ariel]

There is a funny similarity between the handle of Guom and those of Luzon Minasbad.

[kai]

Hello Ariel,

There is a funny similarity between the handle of Guom and those of Luzon Minasbad.

While I usually agree with your astute observations, I beg to differ on this one: I don't see any similarities short of European influences (handguard, spiral grip binding).

Different creatures, different disk guards, different styles, different construction - please explain what you see!

Regards,
Kai

[ariel]

I was talking about the unusually tight space between the D-guard and the grip.
As a rule, D-guards are convex, providing ample space for the hand, but here the guard is either straight or even deliberately concave, almost touching the knuckles . I cannot recall anything similar in any other example of D -guarded handles. Do you?

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

I know nothing about Vietnamese swords.....Peter Dekkers Mandarin Mansions refers...all sold items and worth looking at...http://mandarinmansion.com/antique-vietnamese-swords