Featured Help obtaining info on this Asian antique knife

Hi,

I might be in the wrong discussion thread if so really sorry.

My dad purchased this knife whilst travelling near Tibet some 30 years ago.

Could anyone help me figure out its origin and age?
Would be so thankful!

Kind regards,

 

Hi Talissa,
Antique discussion is always fine if you don't know where to go.
Could we see photos of the sheath? The decorations could give an indication. Is that a superman-like S at the top of the sheath?
The hilt or grip looks like bone, close ups please, just to be sure. The mottled leathery material is shagreen, made of shark or ray skin. Is the metal silver?

 

How does the knife fit in that curved sheath ? How big is it?

 

Hi Yes sure I didn't want to overwhelm with pictures
I don't see the s on top of the sheath...
Oh yes the grip look like some sort of animal horn or bone?
The metal is silver! With beautiful craftsmanship.
The middle bit is made of galuchat or shagreen - I don't know which animal exactly.
All in all the materials are precious and the knife has a lot of energy to it. I am against animal skin trading but its been part of my dads collection for so long! Hope I don't vex anyone with this object...

 

Here we go! Im just checking the measure now

 

I think the knife is more middle east ,Turkey perhaps. I really dont think they started out life together.But Im often wrong.

 

I do get a Turkish vibe from the shape of the knife but im no connoisseur in this field.
Ahhh so you think they weren't made to fit each other ... interesting...

 

I think you're right. Blades were often traded and could end up anywhere.
Talissa, you're right, no superman, just a meander symbol.
The silver decoration is Himalayan, possibly Sino-Tibetan, but I would need to see all of it. Sometimes the tiniest symbol can be an important clue, especially when it comes to neighbouring countries.

 

It looks like a Tibetan women's knife,possibly with a recycled blade as the nut on the tang is a bit strange. Does the ray skin extend under the pierced area?

 

Vex away.....I'll see if I can get pics of mine....loaded today...

 

Oh...they are in fact a set....

 

sorry for the poor pics...but I rushed....
Still....yours is nicer but may not be older.....
and my sheath bends too.....it's the way it's made....the knife is still straight...

 

Two examples of Tibetan women's knives similar to the OP's photos.

http://www.icollector.com/Silver-Scabbard-TIBETAN-KNIFE_i10262577

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/88312842676317574/

 

Could you explain what the nut is? I have to check we left it at work to take prof pictures but the skin does not extend to the pierced area in my memory

 

Wow there are many similarities between the two. Yours looks much more masculine, do you know how old it is? Most certainly older then the one we have!

 

I'm a blade guy, but will admit that I'm in the dark about this one.

I suspected Tibet, as it came to me with Tibet ( Mongolian) Fire Starter that is usually part of a set including an eating trousse , so the pair didn't match up.

My best guess is these are 1800's items......but 1820 or 1899......I don't know !