Silver-inlaid Dha, Burma

Long Dha with Silver Mounts & Silver-inlaid Blade

Burma

19th century

length: 92.5cm

This rather spectacular Burmese long sword or dha has a scabbard and hilt that are encased entirely in chased silver sheet. The steel blade is inlaid on both sides also with silver.

The end of the hilt comprises a large lotus bud finial and the grip is finely chased with interlocking foliage and flowers. The scabbard is decorated on both sides with five panels each with scrolling foliage and petals around an oval-shaped medallion.

The blade is decorated on both sides in silver with scenes of monks and princes, along with ample text in Burmese script.

Fraser-Lu (1994, p. 148) says that such silver-inlaid blades were made in Min-dan village in Yamethin district. The blades were first forged from rod iron acquired from nearby Pyaw-bwe. The area to be decorated was scored using a chisel with cross-hatching (this is visible on the blade here). Strands or iron were then carefully placed in position on the blade using tweezers, and were then hammered onto the iron, the cross-hatching allowing the silver to adhere to the iron. The blade was then gently re-heated and then lightly re-hammered so that the silver would bond further with the iron.

The dha is in excellent condition. The silver has a good patina and the age of the item is clear.

References

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

Provenance:

UK art market; most probably the item has been in the UK since colonial times.

Inventory no.: 3029

SOLD