1: Burma: A knife, known as a 'Dha', with a slightly curved iron blade. The handle is made of old, patinated ivory, honey-coloured to light brown. Broad gripping ring made of silver, with fine silver wire decorations. The wooden sheath is enveloped in sheet silver, decorated with two rosettes and bands of silver wire. Minimal age-related cracks in the ivory and silver. The knife is old (19th century). The wrapping of green, plaited wool-bands with colourful tassels is new.
L: 33 cm.
2: Burma: Eight so-called ‘opium-weights’ (see also cat. no. 241). Made of cast bronze. Six weights in the shape of the mythical lion ‘To’, two in the shape of the sacred duck ‘Hintha’.
First half of the 20th century; H: between 2 cm and 5.6 cm.
3: India: A dagger with a curved, double-edged blade. Grip and sheath are damascened on both sides with leafy tendril spirals and straight bands of silver. The base of the blade and the pommel also bear silver damascening (2 blossoms) on both sides.
First half of the 20th century; L: 24.5 cm.
4: Persia: A dagger with a curved, double-edged blade and a central ridge. The grip consists of black, early plastic, decorated on the front with colourful, inlaid floral decorations (with brass rings and pins). The wooden sheath is enveloped with woven fabric (red, black, white) as well as two brass cuffs. The brass is engraved with leafy tendrils and volutes. Both sides have eyelets with iron carrying rings. First half to mid-20th century;
L: 35 cm.
5: Indo-Persian: A double knife with two single-edged knife blades ‘concealed’ in the hilts. The object is constructed so that the blade of one knife is stuck in the hilt of the other knife (as a sheath). Both hilts (or sheaths) are decorated on the outside with red lacquer, volutes and gold paint. An original object.
First half to mid-20th century; L: 20.4 cm (in total). (ME) ASA