Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

[Tommi]

Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

Hello Ladies & Gentlemen,

In my recent trip to Asia, I came across an artifact which still to this day I wonder what it was, I took some pics to do some personal research. The display case didn't provide any information in English.

From what I can work out and see is that it could be the body of some kind of statue with the head & arms missing The artifact is hollow and I believe is made from bronze. Any ideas or thoughts?

Actually does anyone know a professional who might be able to date the period it came from and identify what it could have been?

kind regards
Tommi.

 

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[d2]

Re: Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

Perhaps a handle for a sword?...d2

 

[DCMatt]

Re: Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

Perhaps part of a wind chime or ritual bell? What size is it and what part of Asia did it come from?

It doesn't look like a statue to me. Most Asian statuary has been much more detailed than this piece for a couple thousand years.

DCMatt

 

[threedawgs]

Re: Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

Have to say, it looks like a part of a statue. The arms and head holes look to be in the right spot for it. Only my 2 cents worth though

 

[Tricia]

Re: Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

sword hilt

 

[bill gent]

Re: Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

a hilt



or could be a anchient P _ _ _ _ pump (kidding)

 

[Tommi]

Re: Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

Its approx 7inches high, if it was a sword the blade would be round? .... I'm leaning to it being the body of some kind of statue, could of represented armour of the statue possibly or maybe the other bits of the statue were made from stone ??

I saw it in Vietnam, so it could be chinese.

Hmmmm... the puzzel continues...

 

[justine093]

Re: Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

the way it is split, It looks to me like the cap of a staff,
possibly with the holes on top being for decorations like feathers,
or wood inserts that are no longer present.

 

[Tricia]

Re: Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

Have you ever seen the end of a sword that fits into a hilt?

Not always round but sometimes squared.

 

[Tommi]

Re: Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

I own two swords, one samuri & one viking sword, none of them look anything close to thise thing, I don't see the sword hilt bit which side would the blade go into? the round top or the big open bottom?

 

[d2]

Re: Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

The tang would fit into the big opening, if it is a sword handle, and a part of it wouldcome out the end so a piece could fit on the end of the tang to keep it all together. It may not be a sword handle but looks like one to me...d2

 

[Tommi]

Re: Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

Ahh I think I know what you mean, so its upside down, the big round end would be where th blade comes out of

Hmmm still a bit to thick to be a handle (specially for smaller asian hands)

The staff idea was another thought that crossed my mind, but the holes on the side are the same size as the one on top, maybe 3 pronged staff? like a devils fork??

Hmmm keep all of your ideas coming... we are sure to work it out !!

 

[d2]

Re: Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

Here is a picture of a sword I found a few weeks ago. In one picture you will see the handle and then a fenial, or the knob that keeps the handle on the sword(it's the round ball looking thing) in the other picture you can see, even though it's bent, where the handle would fit up next to the handguard...d2

 

[Comanche Todd]

Re: Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

maybe it's an old WOK handle?

 

[Eupho17]

Re: Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

No, I don't think it's a sword handle. And I also don't think it's part of statue. Here's my idea:

Take a string or some rope and put it through the two holes on the side, near the top of the item. Have it hang from something, or hold the two ends in one hand. With your free hand, hit the lower part of the item with something non-metallic; a bit of wood should do.

I think what you found is a chime. It looks very, very similar to modern chimes found in percussion sets. If the item gives a good, nice tone, then it's probably a chime.

 

[justine093]

Re: Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

well, if it is a staff piece, it could hold a three pronged section , or better yet, a wood or steel bolt fit through to hold the spear shaft in place.
just speculation!

 

[Monty]

Re: Asian Artifact - Need help to identify - what & when

Walking stick or staff end? Monty