Small Malay Sewar Dagger with Hippopotamus Tooth Mounts

This small, fine sewar dagger has a slightly curved, long, single-edged steel blade; and a long, thin wooded hilt with a hippopotamus tooth chape and hand-guard, and a hippopotamus tooth hilt.

Sewars were intended as stabbing weapons. The small, fine proportions of this example suggest it was intended for use by a Malay woman.

This example is in fine condition. It has a superb patina, particularly the tooth hilt and hand-guard which have a rich, honeyed colour. The tooth has the seams and grain that is typical of hippopotamus teeth.