Mandarin Mansion

02/09/2026

An article on the early depictions of this striking type of katar.

02/09/2026

Blast from the past. This was 2017.
What am I holding here?

02/09/2026

I started this article in 2018 and saw I never finished it. So here goes! I miss the old sites in and around Beijing. Hoping to get back someday soon.

The Jianruiying were stationed at the Fragrant Hills where headquarters, barracks and training facilities were built, along with schools for their children.

02/09/2026

Nice earlier keris Palembang with a very nice pamor blade.

01/09/2026

Some keris boards from a Dutch private collection. The one with the blue background is already sold.

31/08/2026

1885 painting "A Barbary Pirate", Oil on canvas Giovanni Guida (1837-1895).

Among his weapons an Ottoman pistol and yataghan, and something with a very Sri Lankan looking hilt but smaller guard than usual on kasthane.

29/08/2026

Tsuba with moving dragons, completely cut loose from their surroundings.

Originally made in China, altered for use on a katana later in Japan.

26/08/2026

Work visit to Bronbeek. Always nice to see the collection again. It is wonderfully showcased.

25/08/2026

Signed Bundi katar, dated 1873-1874. It is also signed by the goldsmith separately, something I had not seen before.

23/08/2026

Thai section at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, also known as the St. Louis World's Fair, held from April 30 to December 1, 1904.