Two Large Mystery Knives

VANDOO · 13th January 2017, 06:28 AM

DIFFICULT TO TELL FROM PICTURES ON THE KNIFE WITH THE CARVED HORN HANDLE, BUT THE COLOR AND MAKE UP OF THE HANDLE MATERIAL REMINDS ME OF HORN THAT IS OFTEN USED FOR CARVINGS IN CHINA. THEY CALL IT OX HORN NOT SURE IF IT IS FROM A YAK OR OTHER KIND OF OX BUT IT HAS AN ORANGE COLOR. A NICE KNIFE AND THE SCABBARD SHOWS GOOD AGE WEAR AND PATINA.
A PICTURE OF CHINESE OX HORN, THIS IS THE HOLLOW END TOWARD THE TIP IS SOLID THIS HORN WAS AROUND 17 INCHES LONG THERE IS VARIATION IN COLOR FROM LIGHTER TO DARK.

drac2k · 13th January 2017, 02:30 PM

Interesting observations on the handle material; I don't think that is rhino horn either as I believe that this handle has a tighter grain nor does it seem to have the same translucent appearance.
I think that a real clue could be the scabbard; I've seen that cut out, 4 pointed star somewhere before, maybe a Chinese polearm?The decorative lines around the star remind me of some of the designs on Boxer era Chinese banners or rank squares.

Gavin Nugent · 15th January 2017, 12:15 AM

drac2k, Based on my limited study of the chopper with the carved face, my studies of the various forms have lead to me northern Vietnam.

Gavin

13th January 2017, 06:28 AM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	DIFFICULT TO TELL FROM PICTURES ON THE KNIFE WITH THE CARVED HORN HANDLE, BUT THE COLOR AND MAKE UP OF THE HANDLE MATERIAL REMINDS ME OF HORN THAT IS OFTEN USED FOR CARVINGS IN CHINA. THEY CALL IT OX HORN NOT SURE IF IT IS FROM A YAK OR OTHER KIND OF OX BUT IT HAS AN ORANGE COLOR. A NICE KNIFE AND THE SCABBARD SHOWS GOOD AGE WEAR AND PATINA. A PICTURE OF CHINESE OX HORN, THIS IS THE HOLLOW END TOWARD THE TIP IS SOLID THIS HORN WAS AROUND 17 INCHES LONG THERE IS VARIATION IN COLOR FROM LIGHTER TO DARK. Attached Images Last edited by VANDOO; 13th January 2017 at 10:00 PM.

13th January 2017, 02:30 PM	#2
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Interesting observations on the handle material; I don't think that is rhino horn either as I believe that this handle has a tighter grain nor does it seem to have the same translucent appearance. I think that a real clue could be the scabbard; I've seen that cut out, 4 pointed star somewhere before, maybe a Chinese polearm?The decorative lines around the star remind me of some of the designs on Boxer era Chinese banners or rank squares.

15th January 2017, 12:15 AM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	drac2k, Based on my limited study of the chopper with the carved face, my studies of the various forms have lead to me northern Vietnam. Gavin