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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 370
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Hi all
here is another recent purchase, this from Bhutan I believe (well it looks like the few other Bhutanese knives I have seen). It has obviously been made from a file and is some serious steel. It is close to 25 cms (10") of blade and is obviously meant for heavy use. The sheath is beautifully worked. The forumites often show examples of old blades being given new lives, here is an old tool resurrected as a knife. DrD |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,773
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Nice scabbard, this shows nicely the value of a good piece of steel in some parts of the world. I wonder if old files and other scrap metal utensils were traded as a commodity. I think this is more Tibetan with the very eastern motifs on the scabbard. Nice to see a real one.
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#3 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,189
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Incredible repousse on the scabbard work. Thank you for posting this one.
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Chania Crete Greece
Posts: 506
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Battara, since you liked the silverwork, i am posting photos of another with the same great work.
Regards! |
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 370
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Lovely knife eftihis
do you have any idea on the symbols used, are they just decorative. There is certainly similarity between the symbols on the two scabbards DrD |
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Chania Crete Greece
Posts: 506
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Hi DrD!
The symbols are not just decorative, they have a meaning from Buddist teachings. As far as i know, this is not my field: the 2 fishes: mean prosperity, regeneration, harmony. the "mystical" knot:for longer life Maybe someone knows more! |
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 164
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Very Nice Knife
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#8 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Singapore
Posts: 1,248
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Just a thought on a possible translation of the scabbard from down upwards.
"Enlightenment brings everlasting life, harmony, reincarnation and prosperity." ![]() (I may be wrong) and need to be enlighthen. ![]() |
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#9 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 370
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Hi Eftihis and Alam Shah
I am sure you are onto something here. I have posted 3 close ups of the sheath from my knife to show just how similar the iconography is. (the rear of the sheath is different and just decorative). I hope others have something to contribute here. DrD |
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#10 | |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,189
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#11 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 370
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Well after a bit of research I think I have found the meaning of the symbols on these sheaths. They are traditional Tibetan buddhist symbols (there are mongolian and sanskrit equivalents) known as the Eight Auspicious symbols. In general these symbols occur all together or in pairs or singularly and are often found on religious objects or objects of personal significance.
Starting at the bottom of the sheaths shown we have in order: A Wheel, A Banner Proclaiming Victory, An Endless Knot, A Conch Shell, A Lotus, A Treasure Vase, A Pair of Golden Fishes and A Parasol (Umbrella). Each of the symbols is steeped in Buddhist meaning, for those curious it can be further explored at this link. http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/symbols DrD |
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#12 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,149
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David:
Interesting that the theme of the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism comes up again in relation to a weapon. We had a discussion three or four years ago about the Eight Auspicious Symbols in relation to decorations on a Thai or Cambodian dha. That discussion is on the old forum, at this link: http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/002182.html Ian. |
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