Two Tulwars For Comment

Andreas Volk · 14th November 2006, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Lew,

Thank you for the pictures. The one with the gold decoration looks old. The first mark looks like a letter and a number to me, and the second mark, the eyelashes are made in a way, which I have never seen before. It looks very primitive, but there is no doubt what the meaning was. This is interesting, as the eyelashes were said to be a copy of a European sword mark, and maybe it was, but why then mark the blade as it is on yours, as this mark would fool no one. No one would take it for being a European blade mark, so maybe the eyelashes with the dots can have more than one meaning.

Hi Jens!
I'm not sure on the "european eyelash" mark but I "guess" - and that is really what I'm doing - that this
symbol / decoration was used in a hinduistic context as well.
Please find attached the decoration on one of my kukris (2nd part of the 19th cent. is my guess).
Please also note that the lashes ar on the inside.

Best regards

Andreas Volk

Jens Nordlunde · 14th November 2006, 06:30 PM

Hi Andreas,

What makes me wonder is, the blade seems to be a nice one, and the hilt better than average, so not a cheap tulwar at the time - why then make ‘eye lashes’ like this?

Although the Muslims also used talismanic markings, I agree with you, that I also think it is a Hindu marking.

The markings on your kukri are interesting, and although I don’t know, I would think it is seldom to see on kukris. On thing, which I find especially interesting, is the way the eyelashes are ‘closed’ by the three dots. I have a tulwar where eye lashes and fullers are started and end with three dots. Unfortunately I don’t yet know why that is, but I am working on it.

Best

Jens

Rick · 14th November 2006, 07:52 PM

Just to confuse things further allow me to throw this variation into the mix .

Jens Nordlunde · 14th November 2006, 09:26 PM

Hi Rick,

Your contribution does not really add to the confusion, as far as I am concerned, as I am after the three dots, not the eye lashes

, and they apear in warious places.

Andreas Volk · 14th November 2006, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Just to confuse things further allow me to throw this variation into the mix .

Hi Rick.
Thanks a lot for posting this - these marks are a wonderful hybrid. One of my thoughts was that the eyelids (eyelashes) were somehow related to
the halfmoon (kauri) like maks one finds from time to time (pls. see attached).

To be honest I onl found out recently about the "eyelash" meaning - I took the ones on my kukri for variations of the
kauri mark when I first bought it.
Your markings are amazing as the combine the "temple kauri" with the eyelashes. Outstanding !
thanks a lot for sharing - and a decent kukri as well - i'd love to see a full pic if you have the time.
Kind regards

Andreas

FourBlades · 15th November 2006, 02:48 AM

Very nice tulwars.

Does the t-shaped spine on the first one contribute anything to its provenance?

Does anyone know the origins of such a reinforcement?

John

frequent · 16th November 2006, 07:46 AM

those blades look very clean very nice

Lew · 20th November 2006, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FourBlades

Very nice tulwars.

Does the t-shaped spine on the first one contribute anything to its provenance?

Does anyone know the origins of such a reinforcement?

John

John

The "T" back spine I believe is more often seen in blades from the more northern part of India.

Lew

14th November 2006, 07:52 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Just to confuse things further allow me to throw this variation into the mix . Attached Images

14th November 2006, 09:26 PM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Rick, Your contribution does not really add to the confusion, as far as I am concerned, as I am after the three dots, not the eye lashes, and they apear in warious places. Last edited by Jens Nordlunde; 14th November 2006 at 09:48 PM.

15th November 2006, 02:48 AM	#6
FourBlades Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 13	T shaped spines? Very nice tulwars. Does the t-shaped spine on the first one contribute anything to its provenance? Does anyone know the origins of such a reinforcement? John

14th November 2006, 06:30 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Andreas, What makes me wonder is, the blade seems to be a nice one, and the hilt better than average, so not a cheap tulwar at the time - why then make ‘eye lashes’ like this? Although the Muslims also used talismanic markings, I agree with you, that I also think it is a Hindu marking. The markings on your kukri are interesting, and although I don’t know, I would think it is seldom to see on kukris. On thing, which I find especially interesting, is the way the eyelashes are ‘closed’ by the three dots. I have a tulwar where eye lashes and fullers are started and end with three dots. Unfortunately I don’t yet know why that is, but I am working on it. Best Jens

16th November 2006, 07:46 AM	#7
frequent Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 7	those blades look very clean very nice