Fine Malay Sewar Dagger with Hippopotamus Tooth & Engraved Silver Mounts

This elegant, fine sewar dagger has a slightly curved, long, thin damascened blade; and a long, thin wooded hilt decorated with two plain silver bands and one broad band engraved with Islamic-Malay inspired leafy scrollwork.

The hand guard, slightly bifurcate hilt and chape have all been carved from hippopotamus tooth. The hilt ring is of silver and is engraved in the same way as the broad ring in the middle of the scabbard. Sewars were intended as stabbing weapons.

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 hilt has some minor but stable cracking as well as the seams that is typical of hippopotamus tooth.