Dagger sheath
Burmese (Toungoo) School
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1800 - 1900
Materials
silver & wood
Measurements
220 mm (H); 40 mm (W); 30 mm (D)
Order this imageCollection
Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire
NT 107236.2
Summary
Sheath for Burmese dagger. The shape is typical for a Burmese sheath as it starts as a cylinder but slowly tapers to a flattened oval shape at the tip. The neck of the sheath and the background to the two central medallions has a raised geometric leaf pattern that compliments the handle of the dagger. The central animal is a kylin, a mythical beast from China; it has a dragon's head, scaly body, hooves and a bushy tail. As the inhabitants of the Shan States are of Thai-Chinese descent, they may have used the kylin for decoration. 'A dagger (Dha) with nielloed silver handle and silver sheath - Burmese (Toungoo)' (Christie's entry)
Provenance
Purchased in 1986 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund from Francis Curzon, 3rd Viscount Scarsdale (1924-2000). Gifted to the National Trust in 1987 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.
Makers and roles
Burmese (Toungoo) School, maker