A SOUTHEAST ASIAN SILVER YALI-HILTED SWORD
Possibly Burma or Malay Archipelago, South East Asia, late 19th century

With a single-edged crucible steel blade, and a flat tang, the silver hilt designed in the shape of a mythical yali with frightening fangs and bulging eyes, the handguard engraved with stylised lotus scrolls and vegetal sprays, a pierced decorative plaque with volutes and stylised scrolling motifs covering the forte on one side, 66cm long.