Need help by identification of a knife

Henk · 23rd December 2007, 09:23 PM

I have no idea what Santa left behind for me, but I think I do like it.
Length is 49 cm. The hilt looks horn to me and is transculent.
On the blade near the base is an engraving of a whale and just above the whale something that looks like the head of a dog.

My guess is that it comes from Asia.

Rich · 23rd December 2007, 10:03 PM

I doubt Asian just from the style. Can you post a clear picture of
the blade markings?

Rich S

Jim McDougall · 23rd December 2007, 10:11 PM

Its been a while, but I've seen something similar that was I believe from coastal India, possibly Malabar coast.
I'd like to see more on the blade markings also.

carlos · 23rd December 2007, 10:18 PM

Seems colonial to me, maybe Cuba? Thanks
Carlos

Henk · 23rd December 2007, 11:06 PM

Jim, Rich,

This picture of the blade marking is the best I can do at the moment, I'm afraid. The marking is a bit worn out. Maybe because of the patina.
Honestly I doubt the marking is a clear mark of the maker.

fernando · 23rd December 2007, 11:30 PM

A dog?
I must be seeing things

.
To me, it looks like some person ( a lady ? ) mounting on the so said whale

.
That button on the handle ... is it fix or unscrewable ?
Are you sure is Asian, Jim ?
Not colonial, like Carlos sugests ?
Or even an African hunting knife, with a trade blade ?
Fernando

Jim McDougall · 24th December 2007, 12:19 AM

West coast India, to the south, Kerala. Basic similarities in motif resembling some piha kaetta, as well as the capstan.

VANDOO · 24th December 2007, 04:45 AM

IT LOOKS LIKE A MERMAID RIDING ON A DOLPHIN PLAYING A HARP TO ME. PERHAPS THE KNIFE IS FROM THE METERANEN AREA BUT SUCH DESIGNS WERE ALSO FOUND IN EUROPEAN COUNTRYS. EITHER WAY ITS A GRAND CHRISTMAS PRESENT, CONGRADULATIONS

Henk · 24th December 2007, 07:45 AM

Vandoo,

You're right. Now I see it too. It is a harp playing mermaid, riding a dolphin. The picture gives a more sharper image of the engraving than when you study it with your bare eyes. The tail of the mermaid is hardly visible and her head is not visible at all any more.

For the moment I go with Jim. The area of India makes sense to me. It has some piha kaetta similarities in its appearance.

Fernando, the button on the handle is fixed.

Thanks for your comments so far.

23rd December 2007, 09:23 PM	#1
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Need help by identification of a knife I have no idea what Santa left behind for me, but I think I do like it. Length is 49 cm. The hilt looks horn to me and is transculent. On the blade near the base is an engraving of a whale and just above the whale something that looks like the head of a dog. My guess is that it comes from Asia. Attached Images

23rd December 2007, 10:18 PM	#4
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	CUBA? Seems colonial to me, maybe Cuba? Thanks Carlos

23rd December 2007, 11:06 PM	#5
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Jim, Rich, This picture of the blade marking is the best I can do at the moment, I'm afraid. The marking is a bit worn out. Maybe because of the patina. Honestly I doubt the marking is a clear mark of the maker. Attached Images

23rd December 2007, 10:03 PM	#2
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	I doubt Asian just from the style. Can you post a clear picture of the blade markings? Rich S

23rd December 2007, 10:11 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,938	Its been a while, but I've seen something similar that was I believe from coastal India, possibly Malabar coast. I'd like to see more on the blade markings also.

23rd December 2007, 11:30 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	A dog? I must be seeing things . To me, it looks like some person ( a lady ? ) mounting on the so said whale . That button on the handle ... is it fix or unscrewable ? Are you sure is Asian, Jim ? Not colonial, like Carlos sugests ? Or even an African hunting knife, with a trade blade ? Fernando

24th December 2007, 12:19 AM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,938	West coast India, to the south, Kerala. Basic similarities in motif resembling some piha kaetta, as well as the capstan.

24th December 2007, 04:45 AM	#8
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IT LOOKS LIKE A MERMAID RIDING ON A DOLPHIN PLAYING A HARP TO ME. PERHAPS THE KNIFE IS FROM THE METERANEN AREA BUT SUCH DESIGNS WERE ALSO FOUND IN EUROPEAN COUNTRYS. EITHER WAY ITS A GRAND CHRISTMAS PRESENT, CONGRADULATIONS

24th December 2007, 07:45 AM	#9
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Vandoo, You're right. Now I see it too. It is a harp playing mermaid, riding a dolphin. The picture gives a more sharper image of the engraving than when you study it with your bare eyes. The tail of the mermaid is hardly visible and her head is not visible at all any more. For the moment I go with Jim. The area of India makes sense to me. It has some piha kaetta similarities in its appearance. Fernando, the button on the handle is fixed. Thanks for your comments so far.