Malay Sewar Dagger

Sewar Dagger with Horn & Silver Mounts

This sewar  dagger is a very fine, elegant example. It has a slightly curved damascened blade; a long, thin wood hilt variously encased in silver bands and repoussed and chased sheet silver; a hand guard of carved and pierced honey-brown horn; a hilt collar of plain silver with filigree edging; and a hilt of pierced and carved horn.

The hilt and hand guard have been carved with leafy flourishes in high relief.

The silver cladding on the scabbard is finely engraved with scrolling foliage that features the clove motif – a common motif on Malay silver, and panels of fish scale (

skala ikan) motif.Sewars were intended as stabbing weapons. They were used by the Islamic Malay people of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula.

This example is in very fine condition. There are no obvious losses or repairs. It has a superb patina.

Gardner, G.B.,

Keris and other Malay Weapons, Orchid Press, 2009 (reprint of 1936 original).

UK art market