National Museum Bangkok

Ian · 6th December 2004, 06:54 PM

Dan and Mike:

You guys just keep outdoing yourselves. These pictures are excellent, but in many ways just make me want more! I am going to have to arrange some business in Bangkok and take a day or two to visit this museum.

It is gratifying to see the better state of preservation of these swords compared with those at the Royal Palace, but even so they are not all in great shape.

The breadth of styles, with some Chinese and Japanese influence apparent, is very interesting. This fits with Dan's previous comments about Thai links to Japan in particular. I'm already re-evaluating some of my swords in the light of this information.

Do you have approximate time periods for any of these? For example, early or late Ayutthaya, etc. Did you see any sword with a stone set into the end of the hilt?

What more have you guys got to show us?

Ian

Mark · 6th December 2004, 07:17 PM

What a great variety of swords. I can't wait to cross-reference them with the database. All of this information is almost more than I can assimulate (almost .... don't stop, please!).

Yes, that is a shield (called a deng) in the last photo.

wilked aka Khun Deng · 7th December 2004, 12:51 AM

This only the first gallery, Mike has more to post. I've heard the sheilds referred to by many names most commonly though the square one was called "lo" and the small round one a "kaen" but as I said I've heard a variety of terms - all unfamiliar words for my limited vocab. The museum and the palace arms room have a huge collection of polearms of infinate variety but we had only so much time. I think Mike got some shots at Vimanmeg mansion also, but I talked to the people there when I took the tour and they said all their weapons came from the Grand Palace. One thing they did have that the others didn't was an entire rack of old blades, just the blades with no handle or scabbard. Most were of the same profile as the one below with extremely long thin tangs about 6". Some had two fullers, some single, some with none, but all had the same profile sans the normal belly swell and much more flexible than most of the dha I've handled. I'll post this sword later in detail but here's a shot of what I'm talking about. Oops haven't loaded those pics yet I'll edit this later and insert.

wilked aka Khun Deng · 7th December 2004, 01:07 PM

Mike just added the last of the photos he had from the museum. They are in the same gallery as the others it's just 41 photos larger now!

And he got some great shots of the polearms.

Mike you're the HEAT!

RhysMichael · 7th December 2004, 01:23 PM

Super work Dan and Mike. Thanks for posting them here I have just glanced at them but cannot wait till I have time to study them further

Federico · 7th December 2004, 05:20 PM

Just curious, how large are the round shields?

Mark · 7th December 2004, 06:13 PM

Not large. Perhaps 20" from what I understand. Very much like an Indian dhal. They are called khen in Thai.

6th December 2004, 06:54 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	More please ... Dan and Mike: You guys just keep outdoing yourselves. These pictures are excellent, but in many ways just make me want more! I am going to have to arrange some business in Bangkok and take a day or two to visit this museum. It is gratifying to see the better state of preservation of these swords compared with those at the Royal Palace, but even so they are not all in great shape. The breadth of styles, with some Chinese and Japanese influence apparent, is very interesting. This fits with Dan's previous comments about Thai links to Japan in particular. I'm already re-evaluating some of my swords in the light of this information. Do you have approximate time periods for any of these? For example, early or late Ayutthaya, etc. Did you see any sword with a stone set into the end of the hilt? What more have you guys got to show us? Ian

6th December 2004, 07:17 PM	#2
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Outstanding! What a great variety of swords. I can't wait to cross-reference them with the database. All of this information is almost more than I can assimulate (almost .... don't stop, please!). Yes, that is a shield (called a deng) in the last photo.

7th December 2004, 12:51 AM	#3
wilked aka Khun Deng Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 166	More to come This only the first gallery, Mike has more to post. I've heard the sheilds referred to by many names most commonly though the square one was called "lo" and the small round one a "kaen" but as I said I've heard a variety of terms - all unfamiliar words for my limited vocab. The museum and the palace arms room have a huge collection of polearms of infinate variety but we had only so much time. I think Mike got some shots at Vimanmeg mansion also, but I talked to the people there when I took the tour and they said all their weapons came from the Grand Palace. One thing they did have that the others didn't was an entire rack of old blades, just the blades with no handle or scabbard. Most were of the same profile as the one below with extremely long thin tangs about 6". Some had two fullers, some single, some with none, but all had the same profile sans the normal belly swell and much more flexible than most of the dha I've handled. I'll post this sword later in detail but here's a shot of what I'm talking about. Oops haven't loaded those pics yet I'll edit this later and insert. Attached Images Last edited by wilked aka Khun Deng; 7th December 2004 at 01:18 PM.

7th December 2004, 01:07 PM	#4
wilked aka Khun Deng Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 166	More photos Mike just added the last of the photos he had from the museum. They are in the same gallery as the others it's just 41 photos larger now! And he got some great shots of the polearms. Mike you're the HEAT! Last edited by wilked aka Khun Deng; 7th December 2004 at 01:44 PM.

7th December 2004, 01:23 PM	#5
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	Super work Dan and Mike. Thanks for posting them here I have just glanced at them but cannot wait till I have time to study them further

7th December 2004, 05:20 PM	#6
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	Just curious, how large are the round shields?

7th December 2004, 06:13 PM	#7
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Not large. Perhaps 20" from what I understand. Very much like an Indian dhal. They are called khen in Thai.