Burmese Dha Dagger

Silver-Clad Short Dagger with a Lotus Bud Finial (Dha-hmyaung)

This fine, thin dagger has fine proportions, some exceptionally-fine silver decoration, and a wonderful patina. It is from the Shan people of eastern Burma. The tubular scabbard is of wood encased in near-pure hammered sheet silver decorated with a bands of applied filigree and plaited silver wire. The single-edged steel blade fits snugly into the scabbard.

The handle is also entirely encased in silver and is decorated with very fine and perfect bands of plaited filigree wire along its entire length, and has a prominent and pleasing lotus-bud finial at the end, again encased entirely in silver.

The blade has the usual old rust stains, and there is minor crinkling to some of the silver sheet, but overall, this is a fine example of a

dha hmyaung short sword or dagger with clear signs of age and use.