Fine Silver Thai/Burmese 'Hanger' Chatelaine or for a knife?

Mark · 18th July 2010, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathaniel

Interesting piece...I love the repousse silver work as well. I would love to add a repoussed silver dha to the collection sometime with figures such as this...it was fantastic seeing Mark's at the Seminar this spring!

What is puzzling to me is why most of these heavily silver repousse swords appear to be exclusive to Burma? Would you say Burman to be specific Mark?

(Along with the Koftgari would be burman? Versus Kachin/ Shan. I'm sure the Koftgari was picked up from neighboring India.)

I've seen beautiful repoussed bowls from northern Thailand and Laos.

http://www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/s..._thailand.html

No idea why the deep repousse work on swords is exclusively Burman (I believe it is) - as you say, the technique is hardly unique to Burma. Quirk of history or taste, perhaps. As for what this is, I doubt it is a sword or dagger hanger. Its too small and the hook on the back would not, I think, be a very secure belt/sash attachment with something so heavy hanging off of it. The swords and daggers I have seen with similar decoration invariably have rings on the scabbard for a baldric cord attachment. I'm baffled.

Atlantia · 18th July 2010, 08:28 PM

Gav and Mark.

Thank you gentlemen for your help.
I am now regretfully in agreement that this is not a hanger for a weapon.
My thoughts are that it is either as was suggested to do with some aspect of Burmese costume, or that it is simply a Chatelaine, made with traditional 'flavour' but for the European market.

Best
Gene

Nathaniel · 18th July 2010, 10:12 PM

My feelings are it was made from the foreign market....say something like an accessory for a pocket watch to make things look a little more fancy perhaps?

Maybe it's a stretch....but I was trying to think of something lightweight that this silver hanger would tolerate...and perhaps something that was more common for a British or European to have on their person during the time period when this silver token was made.

Atlantia · 18th July 2010, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathaniel

My feelings are it was made from the foreign market....say something like an accessory for a pocket watch to make things look a little more fancy perhaps?

Maybe it's a stretch....but I was trying to think of something lightweight that this silver hanger would tolerate...and perhaps something that was more common for a British or European to have on their person during the time period when this silver token was made.

I hadn't thought of a watch... good idea Nathaniel.
Sadly, I think it's not really in keeping with my already to 'varied' collection now. Oh well.

Nathaniel · 19th July 2010, 02:06 AM

Yeah, Gene, I think it's size too suggest it could work as something like a decorative pocket watch loop... I know there are different types of attachments, but the picture I posted has a hook very similar to the your Silver Burmese piece.

I know in neighboring Thailand, the Thai people really do value clocks & watches...it can make a nice gift...it is very common to see shops in Thailand which solely clocks and watches...not something we see too much here at least in the USA...usually if a place sells nicer clocks it's a nice furniture store...or a jewelry store will sell watches and maybe some nice clocks....otherwise massive chain stores have taken over and most people go to Walmart, etc or chain jewelry stores in the mall...or now internet.

Irregardless, you have to admire the repousse similar to see in those beautiful dha, such as Mark's:

Nathaniel · 19th July 2010, 03:23 AM

From Pocketwatcher.org

http://www.pocketwatcher.org/categor...eltclipchains/

How to wear your watch / belt clip chains

How to Wear your Belt Clip Chain

These chains made their appearance mostly in the Edwardian period up to the Art Deco period in the 1930's. Usually handsomely engraved with pinstriping or geometric designs and perhaps initials, these metal pieces slid over a belt with a chain attached with a swivel to hold your watch. The watch would then be placed in the trouser pocket, thus insuring safe keeping.

Nathaniel · 19th July 2010, 03:28 AM

Being from the US, I had to look up the Edwardian Period:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwardian_era

"The Edwardian era or Edwardian period in the United Kingdom is the period covering the reign of King Edward VII, 1901 to 1910."

So the belt Clips where in style from roughly 1900-1940's

Which would coincide with British rule in Burma:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Burma

"British rule in Burma lasted from 1824 to 1948"

18th July 2010, 08:28 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Gav and Mark. Thank you gentlemen for your help. I am now regretfully in agreement that this is not a hanger for a weapon. My thoughts are that it is either as was suggested to do with some aspect of Burmese costume, or that it is simply a Chatelaine, made with traditional 'flavour' but for the European market. Best Gene Last edited by Atlantia; 18th July 2010 at 09:00 PM.

18th July 2010, 10:12 PM	#3
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	My feelings are it was made from the foreign market....say something like an accessory for a pocket watch to make things look a little more fancy perhaps? Maybe it's a stretch....but I was trying to think of something lightweight that this silver hanger would tolerate...and perhaps something that was more common for a British or European to have on their person during the time period when this silver token was made.

19th July 2010, 02:06 AM	#5
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Yeah, Gene, I think it's size too suggest it could work as something like a decorative pocket watch loop... I know there are different types of attachments, but the picture I posted has a hook very similar to the your Silver Burmese piece. I know in neighboring Thailand, the Thai people really do value clocks & watches...it can make a nice gift...it is very common to see shops in Thailand which solely clocks and watches...not something we see too much here at least in the USA...usually if a place sells nicer clocks it's a nice furniture store...or a jewelry store will sell watches and maybe some nice clocks....otherwise massive chain stores have taken over and most people go to Walmart, etc or chain jewelry stores in the mall...or now internet. Irregardless, you have to admire the repousse similar to see in those beautiful dha, such as Mark's:

19th July 2010, 03:23 AM	#6
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	From Pocketwatcher.org http://www.pocketwatcher.org/categor...eltclipchains/ How to wear your watch / belt clip chains How to Wear your Belt Clip Chain These chains made their appearance mostly in the Edwardian period up to the Art Deco period in the 1930's. Usually handsomely engraved with pinstriping or geometric designs and perhaps initials, these metal pieces slid over a belt with a chain attached with a swivel to hold your watch. The watch would then be placed in the trouser pocket, thus insuring safe keeping.

19th July 2010, 03:28 AM	#7
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Being from the US, I had to look up the Edwardian Period: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwardian_era "The Edwardian era or Edwardian period in the United Kingdom is the period covering the reign of King Edward VII, 1901 to 1910." So the belt Clips where in style from roughly 1900-1940's Which would coincide with British rule in Burma: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Burma "British rule in Burma lasted from 1824 to 1948"