Massive Sword with Open Scabbard, Bhutan

Swords with open scabbards where the front face open and expose the blade are a common practice and numerous tribal groups in Far east use open-faced scabbards.  Such open faced scabbards are seen in Taiwan, the Philippines, Assam and North India to mention few. Short heavy swords from Bhutan also join this interesting class of swords.

The sword we offer here comes from Bhutan, late 19 C. The blade is single edge, thick and heavy. The grip is wood bound with silver wires. The wood scabbard is open and the sword is held in position by two silver bands, with rich filigree work set with a turquoise stone. The tip of the scabbard is also decorated  with a rich silver filigree panel set with turquoise stones.

Blade length 16 inches (41 cm) long 9 mm thick. Total length 24 inches (60 cm). Very good condition. Minor wood chip at the bottom of the scabbard.

A Bhutanese sword with open face scabbard also in the Metropolitan Museum of art Accession Number: 36.25.1450a, b