high end antique 19thc burmese silver mindin dha sword saber knife myanmar dagger se asian oriental

A fantastic and very high end Burmese dha sword, Likely a colonial British bringback from Burma during the period 1820s - 80s as there are records of these Mindin town made dha's going back to 1800 of the konbuang dynasty and used by the generals and high ranking army officers and warriors of the blood sworn kings guard of king Mindon Min and his son who succeeded him king Thibaw min the last king of Burma who was removed by the British from his throne and rule at the very end of the 19thc when many of these swords were still in use with his armies.

The sword is from what Brit colonials in Burma called Burma proper.
Made in typical Mandalay style in Mindin region of Burma this single handed use dha sword of the highest quality seen in Burmese fighting dhas made for use and also rank status and show, the blade is in pristine condition and still very sharp and the silver koftgari and niello worked central section of the hilt are exceptional, for those of you who do not know these dha I have had quite a few and can tell you that they are very sturdy heavy and well balanced.The niello section of the hilt has a traditional design of men and women in traditional Burmese dress dancing among lotus plants or something similar, the silver niello is over an iron tube ferrule and makes for a very strong resilient hilt, the tang on these is around 7 inches in length and ends under the steel section which has an inner lining or wood and lacquer, this gives added strength to the sword for cutting.The sterling grade silver mounts - ferrule and pommel tubes are in real silver, the pommel is in silver to which is also in very good shape and not smashed or badly dented as so many of these are.The blade is exceptional in quality, it has a central hollow ground mid section groove and the spine is thick at the hilt with inlay silver koftgari patterns along it, the blade itself is beautifully finished with silver kofgari decoration from one of the Buddhas previous lives or Jataka stories, I cant say which story it tells but for someone who can translate it it will tell so much more and likely the makers name to.The top flat section of the blades spine ends around 1 3rd the length from the hilt where it thins and has a top false edge, along each side of that edge is a row if silver in lnlay in a sig zag pattern, all silver inlay is real sterling grade 925 silver.
The blade has a thick flat spine which along its length turns into a top v ridged false edge, on the spine and along its top edge it is inlaid with silver koftgari designs, on each side of the blade at the forte and meeting with the hollow forged fuller there are inlay silver koftgari scroll and floral designs with people male and female and Burmese script lines and zig zag pattern, these are in real silver.As with many of these top range dha this one was made for use and not just for ceremonial use as many of the top high end ones in silver and ivory were, this is a fighting dha as well as a show piece for a ranked man of status.

This dha has been professionally cleaned with professional products and has been oiled with Japanese choji oil, the type is worth the trouble of keeping in a good sate and the weight and balance of this type dha is perfect, heavy for size but floats like a real weapon in the hand.There are a few dents in the silver here and there but nothing serious, and what can be expected for a sword that is likely 150 years old at least, and it also retains it's original nickel silver scabbard with its inlay lacquer and bronze wire bands that are all intact.An exceptional Burmese 19thc dha, pics will tell all. Offers welcome but it will have to be close to the start price for anyone to buy this but feel free to contact me by message here make your highest offer.

Antiques.co.uk Ref: XJY2REBYU

Maker/Artist:

Burmese Mindin maker Mandalay colonial period

Materials:

steel, real 925 silver, wood nickel and lacquer.

Height (cm):

89.5cm in scabbard, out 87.5cm blade 62.5cm, spine thickness at hilt 7.5mm

Depth (cm):

3.5cm

Please note that this price may NOT include delivery charges which the seller may charge extra for.

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