TWO BURMESE DHA SWORDS
Burma (Myanmar), late 19th - early 20th century

Comprising two Burmese dha swords, the first with a single-edged silver-inlaid steel blade, the hilt of typical cylindrical shape and made of nielloed silver, the blade and handle decorated with figural motifs depicting traditionally clad Burmese dancers, warriors, a sacrificial ceremony and mythical figures of the local folklore, the spine with a silver-inlaid zig-zag motif, the pommel missing, 78cm long; and another sword with silver and red-lacquered scabbard and handle, the single-edged steel blade flat and with a wide terminal, possibly for ceremonial use only, the scabbard silver fittings decorated with the typical beaded, braided and stringed motif, the pommel gadrooned, 80.5cm long including the scabbard.

Provenance: purchased by the vendor's grandfather whilst he was working and living in the British Raj (between 1895 - 1920), brought to UK at the end of his service in the 1920s - 1930s and then passed on by descent to the present vendor.