A fine and interesting early Persian or Central Asian War Axe Tabar or ‘Tabarzin’. This piece is significant in its weight and size, the steel axehead itself is deeply decorated in relief with scenes of a mounted warrior amongst animals and trees, presumably made from wootz steel. The mounting of the axe is most unusual, below the head is a fine quality Chinese archers ring of Jade, which appears to be early Qing Dynasty in date. The top and bottom shaft mounts are of thick silver, exquisitely chiselled with geometric borders and flowers, suggesting a Central Asian Uzbek or Bukharan origin. The shaft itself is unusually carved in a series of spirals which adds a most dramatic appearance to the piece.
Very nice Tibetan shortsword from Kham. An antique Dagger from Tibet Kham Province, China. Typical steel cap with projections, brass bound grip. The scabbard strikingly designed with ridges of steel and green dyed leather. The blade of tapering triangular form made from linear laminated steels. 18th or early 19th century
Rare pair of Chinese heavy bronze Sai Jian bar maces. The blades of thick four sided section concave to each face to form a sharp edge on each corner. The handles ending with ball finials and grips wrapped with fabric. Very rare coming with original double leather sheath, each mace weighing over 2 kgs, together nearly 4.5 kgs, each mace 63 cms long
Rare Chinese Qing or ‘Manchu’ Military helmet of steel, blackened iron with silver and gold Tibetan style decoration, Very good old provenance. Dating to the 17th or early 18th century
A superb early Bronze Lantaka deck cannon or swivel gun from Northen Borneo /Brunei. These ornate bronze canons were typically used along the gunwales and decks of ships, most notoriously those used by the Malay pirates who were active in the South China Seas around Borneo and the Philippines. This examples is small, cast from heavy bronze and ornate with a cast crocodile mounted to the front, and also most interestingly has an exploded breech section showing a failure during active firing!! 19th century or earlier
a very nice dha type sword from North Vietnam, interesting weapon with chiselled engraving to the steel blade, banded brass and silver hilt with decorative features, a tsuba like guard, original sheath, certainly 19th century or earlier coming soon to Ashoka Arts fine antique swords and weapons now added
coming soon 4 antique oriental chinese swords, A dao chopper with long horn hilt, an early Jian type with unusual blade, a willow leaf sabre Dao, and another broad-bladed sabre… all with watered damascus steel blades..! to come with the latest update from Ashoka Arts Fine Antique Arms and Armour..!
a second rare repeating crossbow Chu-ko-nu from China soon to be added to the store.. this fantastic 19th century bow has been restrung and is fully working allowing the user to see and feel exactly how it would have been used in combat. Used against the British in the 1850’s and the Japanese in the 1890’s, this ingenious and effective weapon has been used in China since the Han dynasty! used against mass troops and with bolts of steel probably poison-tipped.. supplied with a few dummy bolts..