Karen Ritual Rice Sickle: Very rare ceremonial rice cutter from the Karen people (this particular one is from Northern Thailand). This knife would only be used on the first cutting of the season. As with most of the rice cultivators in Asia there is a great deal of ceremonial, and ritual importance is given to this act, regardless of the religion i.e. Buddhist, animist, Hindu etc. The handle has a wonderful original patina and the blade is still quite sharp. Circa 60 to 100 years old. i am always fond of these sorts of things as they serve to remind us that rice is something more than what comes in a vacuum-sealed bag from the store. Total l: 32cm/12.5in. http://www.trocadero.com/stores/abhayaasianart/items/1448442/item1448442...