Description

A pair of fine silver overlaid knives from Burma. Each knife is forged out of a single piece of steel that makes the hilt and blade. Small cutting implements that were this ornate were usually associated with betel chewing traditions. Normally, specialized betel cutters (kun-hnyat) were used for this and this is the first time I have seen knives of the style.

The chopper

The first one with a blade style like a chopper, with a concave clipper tip. Its overlaid in silver on both sides, with some small details done in brass. The work is more intricate on the right side. The designs on the right consist of five chinthe (lion) on the left side among scrolling and flowering plants. On the right side are six creatures, with two more chinthe, two half-human half-beasts, and two wolf-like creatures.

The dahmjaun

The second knife is shaped like a classic Burmese dagger or dahmjaun, only in miniature. (See dahmjaun.) The blade has a long backedge and the hilt cross section has six facets. Both sides are overlaid in silver with scrolling vines and flowers with some brass dots in the flowers.

Dating and attribution

This kind of fine silver overlay was done exclusively in Mindan Village, just south of Mandalay.

The village was visited by Bell in 1907, who wrote:

"Another artistic development has its home in Minden Village, Yamethin District, where every household depends more or less on its smithy, though there are only a few professors of the particular art to be described, which consists of an inlay of silver wire upon an iron surface. 

The usual articles produced are ornamental dalwes or da-hmyaungs, scissors. katkyi, betel-cutters, kun-hnyat, hair-tweezers, hmwe-hnyat specimens of which are figured (Figs. 1 to 9 and 11). 
This industry is said to have had its origin five generations before Saya, whose son Saya Pyo, the chief local artist, turned out the articles shown in the illustrations."

-E.N. Bell I.C.S.; A Monograph on Iron and Steel Work in Burma.  
Rangoon, Superintendent, Government Printing Burma, 1907.

A pair of scissors by Saya Pyo of Mindan Village.

For more information, see my glossary article: Mindan.

Conclusion

A pair of lavish silver overlaid knives made in Mindan village, Burma. It was known for the production of fine silver overlai and even compared to other items made there, the fineness of the overlay on these knives is very fine and precise. Especially considering how small they are. A very rare set.