A very interesting and attractive knife of probable South-East Asian origin. The wooden sheath beautifully shaped and carved with a large integral mount for a strap. The sheath has some very tiny pins probably of  iron which keep the sides together. Geometric motifs to the front and back, the lower sheath with a large finely carved spiral motif. This curiously overlaps the linear carving below. The bottom of the sheath with a very clever old repair to a crack using brass wire, another possible addition using this wire is at the sheath throat. A single character is carved on the back of the sheath. The blade of steel with a sharp tip resembling those on some swords from the hill-tribes of Northern Thailand/Yunnan. Mounted with a visible tang which is rivetted between the lower section of the hilt. The grip of a single curved piece of wood. The exact tribal origin of this knife is unclear, it has many unusual features which make it a most interesting piece. The character on the back bears strong similarities with those of the Lolo (Yi) a Tibeto-Burman language group, and the tip profile, the hilt shape and specifically the carved circular motif do suggest an origin in the region of South-West China/North Thailand/Laos all areas with Lolo (Yi) populations. 21 inches approx. 19th century or earlier.

$895

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