Cambodia, Khmer Empire (Angkor culture), ca. 800 to 1400 CE. This is a short form of Khmer sword, known as a p'keak or phka’k, which is a curved handled weapon with an iron blade. They may have been used for clearing the dense forests of northern Cambodia as well as for fighting. This particular bronze sword handle (attached to an iron blade) is decorated with finely tooled incised curving designs. From the Angkor period onward (after 800 CE), it seems likely that southeast Asia underwent a great deal of conflict; inscriptions, reliefs, weapons deposited as grave goods, and, most recently, bioarchaeology all attest to a history of fighting and war. This sword is almost certainly related to that history. For example, excavations at the cemetery at Phum Snay have uncovered a wide range of weapons in many graves; while most were male, some belonged to females. Unfortunately, we currently have only fragmentary evidence for warfare and sword manufacture in the Khmer Empire because of the ravages of the Khmer Rouge on records of Cambodia’s history. Comes with custom stand. Size: 9.9" L x 1.2" W (25.1 cm x 3 cm)

Provenance: Ex - Private Hong Kong collection

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#115905

Fragile with handle in two pieces and extensive corrosion to iron blade; however, handle has tiny, intricate design work.