Help to ID a dagger

Ian · 11th December 2021, 10:00 PM

The braided narrow rattan strips have a strong mainland SE Asian/southern Chinese flavor. The carved ivory(?) grip appears to have some Chinese influence also. A rhino guard is a bit of an anomaly, but rhino horn can be found via trade in some SE Asian areas (e.g., Malaysia)--buffalo horn is more common. The dagger blade with a central rib might suggest a Chinese, Indonesian, or even western influence (such as French).

An interesting dagger. Philip might be able to place it better for you. My best guess is SE Asian/southern Chinese, possibly from Vietnam (Cochin). It appears to have some age and might date to the period of French IndoChina.

On the other hand, I could be way off the mark.

11th December 2021, 10:00 PM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	The braided narrow rattan strips have a strong mainland SE Asian/southern Chinese flavor. The carved ivory(?) grip appears to have some Chinese influence also. A rhino guard is a bit of an anomaly, but rhino horn can be found via trade in some SE Asian areas (e.g., Malaysia)--buffalo horn is more common. The dagger blade with a central rib might suggest a Chinese, Indonesian, or even western influence (such as French). An interesting dagger. Philip might be able to place it better for you. My best guess is SE Asian/southern Chinese, possibly from Vietnam (Cochin). It appears to have some age and might date to the period of French IndoChina. On the other hand, I could be way off the mark.