Thai Siam Ivory paper knife Buddhist

[phil.reid]

Well it's not really a blade but the handles just so pretty, blown away by the carving of the temple guard inside the handle.

[Sajen]

Hello Phil,

That's not a paper knife but a betel cutting knife, most probably from Thailand. A very beautiful one!

Regards,
Detlef

[phil.reid]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Phil,

That's not a paper knife but a betel cutting knife, most probably from Thailand. A very beautiful one!

Regards,
Detlef

!!!!!!!! the blades a slivers of Ivory, I'd assumed it was for turning pages, cant see how it could be used for cutting betel nuts unless it's just a decorative piece.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by phil.reid

...cant see how it could be used for cutting betel nuts...

Ditto .

[Gavin Nugent]

A nice old letter opener by the looks... it isn't going to cut much else, it would be lucky to pull the skin of custard.

The pieces are artistically and culturally correct, but I can't help but feel they are a marriage of different pieces.
For sure paper knives like this exist, I only question the unusual angle at the forte and the obvious modern glue fixing the blade.

Potentially, and just thinking out loud, right or wring, perhaps once a full sliver of ivory including an integral hilt was the paper knife and it may have been melded into part of a defunct silverware set or similar.

[David]

Originally Posted by phil.reid

!!!!!!!! the blades a slivers of Ivory, I'd assumed it was for turning pages, cant see how it could be used for cutting betel nuts unless it's just a decorative piece.

I agree. I also can't see how it could be used as a weapon, so i believe regardless of its beauty, this one belongs in the Miscellaneous Forum.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by David

I agree. I also can't see how it could be used as a weapon, so i believe regardless of its beauty, this one belongs in the Miscellaneous Forum.

So it goes !

[Rick]

I'm a bit suspicious about that Ivory handle; all those dark flecks in the material make me wonder if it is bone.

[David]

Originally Posted by Rick

I'm a bit suspicious about that Ivory handle; all those dark flecks in the material make me wonder if it is bone.

I tend to agree. The blade may be ivory, but the hilt looks like bone to me. Beautifully carved bone at that.

[Ian]

David and Rick, I think the hilt has to be ivory. The carved figure within the finely carved "cage" indicates a solid interior, which is inconsistent with a bony structure.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Rick

I'm a bit suspicious about that Ivory handle; all those dark flecks in the material make me wonder if it is bone.

Quite possible to be antler.

[Ian]

Gav, even less likely to be antler (another form of bone). Antlers have a very "spongy" interior as a result of their rapid growth. This is elephant ivory.

The marks are the result of oil from peoples hands and dirt. Gentle washing with soap and water would remove it (not that I recommend washing it).

I've owned a few of these and they all had ivory blades and hilts. This one is a very nice example.

[Rick]

Can I see some examples of ivory that discolors and looks semi porous please?
Could it be mildew perhaps?

[phil.reid]

Thanks gentlemen, yes I'd assumed it was for turning pages as per the European patterns. The item itself is fairly large, roughly 40cm long all up.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by phil.reid

!!!!!!!! the blades a slivers of Ivory, I'd assumed it was for turning pages, cant see how it could be used for cutting betel nuts unless it's just a decorative piece.

Sorry Phil,

I've thought that it has an iron blade!

But it remains strongly to a Thai betel knife shown in "Betelschneider" from Henry Brownrigg , see attached pictures. Anyway, your paper knife is a beauty!

Regards,
Detlef

[Battara]

I too vote for Ivory. The carving is astounding!