Need help indentiiying this dagger.

Kurt · 8th February 2010, 05:32 PM

I have no idea how old or or where it comes from .
Maybe India or Ceylon?
Is the handle of ivory.
But what kind?
Regards
Kurt

VANDOO · 8th February 2010, 06:13 PM

ITS THE TRADITIONAL DAGGER FROM THE MALDIVES A SERIES OF ISLANDS SOUTH OF SIRI LANKA. THE POMMEL IS MADE OF A SPERM WHALE TOOTH AS IS TRADITIONAL. THERE MAY BE SOME INFORMATION IN OLD POSTS IN THE OLDEST FORUM ARCHIVES

. NICE ONE

Jim McDougall · 8th February 2010, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

ITS THE TRADITIONAL DAGGER FROM THE MALDIVES A SERIES OF ISLANDS SOUTH OF SIRI LANKA. THE POMMEL IS MADE OF A SPERM WHALE TOOTH AS IS TRADITIONAL. THERE MAY BE SOME INFORMATION IN OLD POSTS IN THE OLDEST FORUM ARCHIVES

. NICE ONE

Vandoo, you are absolutely the master of esoterica!!!! Hope all is well there in the Smithsonian-West

!!

All the best,
Jim

Battara · 8th February 2010, 10:03 PM

This one is nicer than others I have seen - I like the silver koftgari on the blade.

VANDOO · 9th February 2010, 12:27 AM

IT IS A NICE ONE MADE IN THE TRADITIONAL WAY AND THE BLADE DECORATIONS ARE NOT COMMON ON THESE. IT APPEARS TO HAVE SOME AGE TO IT DUE TO THE COLOR OF THE IVORY HANDLE.
THE FIRST TIME I WAS ABLE TO i.d. SOMETHING ON THE FORUM WAS ONE OF THESE DAGGERS THAT ARTZI HAD POSTED LOOKING FOR AN I. D. I FOUND THE POST WHILE LOOKING THRU THE ARCHIVES WHERE IT HAD LANGUISHED UNANSWERED. SO I HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF HAVING BEEN ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE SOME KNOWLEGE. PERHAPS IF I RETURN TO THE MALDIVES AGAIN I CAN GET THE NAME IT IS KNOWN BY THERE.

drdavid · 9th February 2010, 10:44 AM

Here is another example, not quite so nice. The metal pieces between the ivory were aluminium. This one had a little curve in the tip, which the Maldivian gentleman who sold it to me said was to write on the traditional leaves used as 'parchment' in the Maldives but more probably just due to misuse. Very interesting and unusual knives
drd

spiral · 9th February 2010, 08:39 PM

What a lovely example Kurt!

Ive been trying to get a fellow kukri collector & friend to let me have his versian of one evry time I see his collection, One day he will swap for something!

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

PERHAPS IF I RETURN TO THE MALDIVES AGAIN I CAN GET THE NAME IT IS KNOWN BY THERE.

This may help narrow down the name of these, but I hope your lucky enough to get back to the Maldives sometime!

Accodsing to Francois Pyrard works, Its most likely called a 'fiyohi' or more utility versions refered to as 'valhi',

From..

"The Voyage of Francois Pyrard of Laval to the East Indies, the Maldives, the Moluccas and Brazil" 1611.

Translated into English from the third French edition of 1619 and edited with notes by Albert Gray assisted by H.C.P. Bell - 1887.
.................................................. ...

"Knives"
"Ordinary Maldive waist knives, 'valhi', chastely inlaid with silver and mother-of-pearl, leave nothing to be desired in portability and serviceableness, whilst for shape and handsome finish the larger silver-mounted knife-dagger with ivory handle, 'fiyohi', worn exclusively by grandees and soldiers, is unique. Knife handles are carved from 'kuredhi' ironwood, 'endheri' black coral , and 'bodumas dhaiy' whale's teeth."
.................................................. ...........

Spiral

8th February 2010, 05:32 PM	#1
Kurt Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 197	Need help indentiiying this dagger. I have no idea how old or or where it comes from . Maybe India or Ceylon? Is the handle of ivory. But what kind? Regards Kurt Attached Images Last edited by Kurt; 8th February 2010 at 05:54 PM.

9th February 2010, 10:44 AM	#6
drdavid Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 372	Here is another example, not quite so nice. The metal pieces between the ivory were aluminium. This one had a little curve in the tip, which the Maldivian gentleman who sold it to me said was to write on the traditional leaves used as 'parchment' in the Maldives but more probably just due to misuse. Very interesting and unusual knives drd Attached Images

8th February 2010, 06:13 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	ITS THE TRADITIONAL DAGGER FROM THE MALDIVES A SERIES OF ISLANDS SOUTH OF SIRI LANKA. THE POMMEL IS MADE OF A SPERM WHALE TOOTH AS IS TRADITIONAL. THERE MAY BE SOME INFORMATION IN OLD POSTS IN THE OLDEST FORUM ARCHIVES . NICE ONE

8th February 2010, 10:03 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,247	This one is nicer than others I have seen - I like the silver koftgari on the blade.

9th February 2010, 12:27 AM	#5
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IT IS A NICE ONE MADE IN THE TRADITIONAL WAY AND THE BLADE DECORATIONS ARE NOT COMMON ON THESE. IT APPEARS TO HAVE SOME AGE TO IT DUE TO THE COLOR OF THE IVORY HANDLE. THE FIRST TIME I WAS ABLE TO i.d. SOMETHING ON THE FORUM WAS ONE OF THESE DAGGERS THAT ARTZI HAD POSTED LOOKING FOR AN I. D. I FOUND THE POST WHILE LOOKING THRU THE ARCHIVES WHERE IT HAD LANGUISHED UNANSWERED. SO I HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF HAVING BEEN ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE SOME KNOWLEGE. PERHAPS IF I RETURN TO THE MALDIVES AGAIN I CAN GET THE NAME IT IS KNOWN BY THERE.