Short sword

Short swords of this type with decorations in luxurious materials and techniques were in demand, presumably more for display than combat, both in the Shan area and in central Burma. It is likely, too, that by the 1890s such swords were being produced for the tourist market.

The ivory carving on this example is of exceptional intricacy. On the scabbard a pierced, lacelike upper layer of vines and foliage covers an underlayer of large human figures in relief. On the handle are two figures amid scrolling vines; one, with a demonic face (or mask), bends his head completely backwards so that it appears upside down on his upper back.