Burmese Dha

Dha-lwe Sword with Silver Mounts and a Silver-Inlaid, Concave-Tip Blade

Burma

19th century

length: 81cm

The scabbard and handle of this very fine ceremonial dha-lwe are sheafed entirely in repoussed and chased silver sheet. The hilt is in the form of a plump lotus bud and the grip is chased with typically Burmese figures surrounded by fine foliage and floral scrollwork.

The blade is finely and densely inlaid with silver on both sides and to the top. The inlay, which includes numerous lines of Burmese script, shows figures clad in Burmese costume amid foliage. Some of the figures are threatened by an elephant and by a fierce tiger or dog creature.

The blade ends not in a tip but with a concave end.

Dha-lwe swords with concave ends are relatively rare. Such blades also are sometimes encountered in Thailand where such concave tips on long, dha-like swords are known as hua tat (tad) khong tips.

In Burma, concave tips generally are seen on dha from Upper Burma, particularly from the Kachin and Shan states.

Overall, this is a very fine dha in fine condition.

References

Fraser-Lu, S., Burmese Crafts: Past and Present, Oxford University Press, 1994.

Provenance

UK art market

Inventory no.: 1240

SOLD