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Inventory no.: 3554

Malay Sewar

SOLD

Malay Sewar Dagger with Horn & Silver Mounts

Malay Peninsula or Sumatra

19th century

length: 32.5cm, weight: 244g

This dagger, known locally as a sewar, comprises a single-edged damascened iron blade, a horn handguard and hilt, and a wooden scabbard encased in chased silver.

The silver scabbard is decorated with bands of typically Malay vegetal scrolling, along with a fish scale (

kulit ikan).

The form of the sewar is of Indian origin and is designed to slip into a waist band.

The

sewar is in fine condition with small losses to the edge of the silver on the scabbard and minor cracking to the horn on the hilt.

References

Van Zonneveld, A., Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago, C. Zwartenkot Art Books, 2001.

Provenance

UK art market

Inventory no.: 3554

SOLD

The gold foil sheet is visible beneath the beads, as shown in this image.