Expensive tourist flyssa - Asian handle combo

Emanuel · 12th December 2008, 05:07 AM

So this thing just ended on eBay at over $300 usd. Obviously a flyssa blade of the shorter 1850+ variety (according to Lacoste-Desjardins) with an intricately carbed bone handle. Since there is little actual brass on the blade and a lot more of the scratches we see on similar "wedding nimcha" blades, I'll hazard a guess that this is more likely early 20th century.
The handle has loads of Buddhist themes and imagery, does anyone have any ideas about it.
An interesting fusion overall...

Emanuel

Emanuel · 12th December 2008, 05:09 AM

some more pics...all from seller

Chris Evans · 12th December 2008, 06:46 AM

Hi Manolo,

I don't know the first thing about flyssas, but whether modern or older, this piece would look very nice in any collection.

Interesting how the decorative filework on the spine is the same as found on many navajas of both Spanish and French origins. Modern Spanish cutlers use the same theme on the external springs (muelle de teja). None of my antiques has this pattern, only those made in the 20th century. Perhaps this tells us something.....

Cheers
Chris

David · 12th December 2008, 03:33 PM

The figure at the top of the hilt looks like Hanuman (the tail has broken off) and i would hazard a guess that it comes from Indonesia, possibly Bali. Can't say how it ended up on this blade though.

DhaDha · 12th December 2008, 05:34 PM

Cool. I can't say for sure but I think I've seen an old sword from Vietnam that was similar in shape. Trying to look for the reference...
Shawn

Tim Simmons · 12th December 2008, 07:35 PM

Does not look right to me. I think the handle is not old 1930s? oldest. Could be a parasol handle? What bothers me is lots of pics but none of the join. The blade does look north African. Do not take my word I am bitter and twisted

katana · 12th December 2008, 07:58 PM

I am extremely suspicious of this piece, to me , the blade seems to be North African. I believe that this was a marriage of blade and hilt for the purpose of monetary gain. To me, the handle seems artificially aged and the 'wear' points (rubbing) seem inconsistent with actual handling. Where Hanuman's tail has broken off, the 'fracture sites' are clean right up to the edges, surely bone etc as it ages also starts to discolour slightly below the surface 'skin'...meaning that the 'fracture sites' would be edged with some discolouration. I hope I am wrong, for the buyer's sake ...but could the handle possibly be resin

Regards David

.

Tim Simmons · 12th December 2008, 08:02 PM

David I thought the handle was bone. looking at the broken parts you may have a point. The brakes do look awfully fresh.

Emanuel · 12th December 2008, 08:03 PM

There's no question that this is a North African blade. It comes from a small flyssa of a type whose manufacture began in the latter part of the 19th century and took off in the early 20th. This type of blade is the precursor to the thin "wedding nimcha" blades, just compare the decorative "scratches".

Tim Simmons · 12th December 2008, 08:07 PM

Yes lets be shockingly honest its crap.

katana · 12th December 2008, 08:18 PM

Could the blade be from a Shula ??

Bill M · 12th December 2008, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Yes lets be shockingly honest it's crap.

Tim,

RIGHT ON! Absolute crap!

LPCA · 14th December 2008, 11:31 AM

As Katana, i am very suspicious too. As for the blade, it seems to be a kabyle work. As for the hilt, it's an indonesian style with Hanuman!!!.
It is the assembly of the carp and the rabbit. Doubtless, somebody has to laugh at its joke.

12th December 2008, 05:07 AM	#1
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Expensive tourist flyssa - Asian handle combo So this thing just ended on eBay at over $300 usd. Obviously a flyssa blade of the shorter 1850+ variety (according to Lacoste-Desjardins) with an intricately carbed bone handle. Since there is little actual brass on the blade and a lot more of the scratches we see on similar "wedding nimcha" blades, I'll hazard a guess that this is more likely early 20th century. The handle has loads of Buddhist themes and imagery, does anyone have any ideas about it. An interesting fusion overall... Emanuel Attached Images

12th December 2008, 05:09 AM	#2
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	more pics some more pics...all from seller Attached Images

12th December 2008, 07:58 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	I am extremely suspicious of this piece, to me , the blade seems to be North African. I believe that this was a marriage of blade and hilt for the purpose of monetary gain. To me, the handle seems artificially aged and the 'wear' points (rubbing) seem inconsistent with actual handling. Where Hanuman's tail has broken off, the 'fracture sites' are clean right up to the edges, surely bone etc as it ages also starts to discolour slightly below the surface 'skin'...meaning that the 'fracture sites' would be edged with some discolouration. I hope I am wrong, for the buyer's sake ...but could the handle possibly be resin Regards David . Attached Images

12th December 2008, 06:46 AM	#3
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 682	Hi Manolo, I don't know the first thing about flyssas, but whether modern or older, this piece would look very nice in any collection. Interesting how the decorative filework on the spine is the same as found on many navajas of both Spanish and French origins. Modern Spanish cutlers use the same theme on the external springs (muelle de teja). None of my antiques has this pattern, only those made in the 20th century. Perhaps this tells us something..... Cheers Chris

12th December 2008, 03:33 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,127	The figure at the top of the hilt looks like Hanuman (the tail has broken off) and i would hazard a guess that it comes from Indonesia, possibly Bali. Can't say how it ended up on this blade though.

12th December 2008, 05:34 PM	#5
DhaDha Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 165	Cool. I can't say for sure but I think I've seen an old sword from Vietnam that was similar in shape. Trying to look for the reference... Shawn

12th December 2008, 07:35 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Does not look right to me. I think the handle is not old 1930s? oldest. Could be a parasol handle? What bothers me is lots of pics but none of the join. The blade does look north African. Do not take my word I am bitter and twisted

12th December 2008, 08:02 PM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	David I thought the handle was bone. looking at the broken parts you may have a point. The brakes do look awfully fresh.

12th December 2008, 08:03 PM	#9
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	There's no question that this is a North African blade. It comes from a small flyssa of a type whose manufacture began in the latter part of the 19th century and took off in the early 20th. This type of blade is the precursor to the thin "wedding nimcha" blades, just compare the decorative "scratches".

12th December 2008, 08:07 PM	#10
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Yes lets be shockingly honest its crap.

12th December 2008, 08:18 PM	#11
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Could the blade be from a Shula ??

14th December 2008, 11:31 AM	#13
LPCA Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toulouse - FRANCE Posts: 83	As Katana, i am very suspicious too. As for the blade, it seems to be a kabyle work. As for the hilt, it's an indonesian style with Hanuman!!!. It is the assembly of the carp and the rabbit. Doubtless, somebody has to laugh at its joke.