Code SA19
Dha-hmyaung from Burma, c. late 19th Century. The hilt is a wild boar (tan-wet) tusk with silver fittings. The scabbard is silver over wood in the traditional shape, decorated with silver filigree.
Overall length: 23 cm
Blade length: 14 cm
Hilt length: 9 cm
Scabbard length: 16.5 cm
This particular knife was loaned by the previous owner to the Macao Museum of Art for the "History of Steel in East Asia" exhibit, and is featured in the catalogue as Item 273.
In S.E. Asia, boar tusks have been used for over a thousand years to make magic amulets, talismans, charms or knives for ritual purposes. They are used as hunting trophies by people around the world.