Sword
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1700 - 1800
Materials
Steel, silver and sharkskin
Measurements
845 mm (L)
Place of origin
Bhutan
Order this imageCollection
Powis Castle and Garden, Powys
NT 1180599.1
Summary
A 'bha' sword with steel blade silvered from the hilt, single-edged and with a square end; incised Chinese-style cloud and flower decoration on the hilt bolster and flat pommel; the grip covered in shagreen. This type of sword is known as a dha and is associated with the Tibeto-Burmese lands rather than India itself. Although types vary in curvature and blade shape throughout Burma, Assam and the eastern Himalayan regions, the dha is always characterised by its lack of guards or quillons. The single-edged blade may be straight or curved, with a square end as here, or pointed. The proximity to China is reflected in the incised Chinese-style cloud and flower decoration on the metal of the hilt and the use of a Chinese floral velvet to cover the scabbard, which would have had a decorative cord around it with a loop so that the sword could be slung over the shoulder. Bhutan, 18th century.
Provenance
Accepted by HM Treasury on 21st March, 1963 in lieu of tax and conveyed to National Trust ownership on 29th November 1963.