Code: SA3, SA4
"Dha" is a Burmese term that simply means "blade." The corresponding term in Thai is "daab," or "darb." Western collectors use the term dha to refer to both swords and knives of various lengths from multiple continental southeast Asian cultures. “dha-lwe” are swords, and “dha-hmyaung” are daggers. These two Dha-hmyang are from Burma. The smaller dha is 10 1/4 inches in length overall with a blade of 5 3/4 inches.
The hilt and scabbard of both daggers fit together so smoothly that the seams are practically invisible. Both dha-lwe are completely covered on the hilts and scabbards with chased and engraved silver sheet, richly decorated with inlaid fine silver thread, almost filigree. Unlike other decorative techniques such as inlay, gilding and niello, the overlaid metal is hammered onto a prepared surface, and annealed by heating. This is not the same as another overlaid and hammered technique called koftgari (“inlay”). There does not seem to be a term in Burmese for the technique, but in the west it is now commonly called “overlay”.
Hilt detail, dha-hmyaung knife from Burma, late 19th C.
These are high quality pieces, and being so, they were probably too precious for use in mundane tasks. It is likely they were reserved for ceremonial use, wearing on festive occasions, or as a status symbol of officials.
Scabbard and blade tip detail, dha-hmyaung knife from Burma, late 19th C.