TWO INTERESTING DAYAK SWORDS
 

TWO ITEMS FROM BORNEO COLLECTED AROUND 1920 BY THE SAME COLLECTOR. PICTURES #1 THRU #3. IS A UNUSUAL DAYAK PARANG WITH A SOLID BRASS HANDLE WITH A NON TRADITIONAL DESIGN. 66.5 CM. LONG NO SCABBARD. ITS A INTERESTING VARIATION AND MAKES ONE WONDER IF IT WAS BROUGHT IN FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE PERHAPS TO BE TRADED OR PRESENTED AS A GIFT.
PICTURE #4. IS A MANDAU COLLECTED AT THE SAME TIME BY THE SAME COLLECTOR CARVED ANTLER HANDLE AND NICE TRADITIONAL INSERTS IN BLADE 68.5 CM. LONG NO SCABBARD.

Can't help you with any valuable information but I like both blades a lot. Congratulations for having them and thank you for sharing the photos! :)

PS: Why are you writing with capitals, as it is rather difficult to read? :confused:

I believe Dyak/Dayak is the people/culture it originates with and Mandau (head hunter) Would be the name of the blades themselves. Perhaps Mandau Pasir (broad head hunter)...If that helps.

when you are old small print is difficult to read so i usually go with all caps. some say they are going deaf from the loud noise or i am a dolt because i don't conform. often my spelling and punctuation is not perfect either but i do the best i can. :rolleyes: unfortunately these two swords are not mine but they are interesting examples worth discussing and seeing.

Beautiful Mandau, thanks for sharing. Miguel

HI BARRY,
WE ARE ALL GETTING OLD. YOUR POSTS IN CAPITALS ARE EASY TO READ AND ARE A MARK OF YOUR THREADS........LOVE IT. :cool:
STU

AGREED! :D ;)

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME AND EFFORT TO REPLY MY QUESTION ABOUT CAPITALS! DIDN'T WANT TO PESTER YOU, JUST WAS CURIOUS! :)

REGARDING THE SWORDS, I LIKE THE SECOND ONE MORE FOR THE CARVINGS OF THE BLADE AND HILT.

I'M GOING NEXT MONTH TO INDONESIA AND WILL VISIT THE DAYAK, AND MAYBE, WITH SOME LUCK WILL FIND SOME NICE BLADES FOR MY COLLECTION (BUT I'M NOT HOLDING MY BREATH).

The pommel on the brass hilt looks influenced by the Murut to me. I have never seen a solid one before though.
Regards
Roy

CAN'T AGREE WITH YOU!

TRUE THAT CAPITALS MAY NOT BE THAT DIFFICULT TO READ BUT I'M DEFINITELY NOT GETTING OLD!

ON CONTRARY, I'M GETTING YOUNGER BY THE DAY... AND WITH EVERY NEW POST! :D :p

I doubt that you will find any good antique blades by the Dayak on Kalimantan. :shrug:

Regards,
Detlef

I doubt it myself but it's the process of trying that may be worth the effort.
:)

NICE PICTURES BARRY.
ANY CHANCE THAT YOU CAN REVEAL THE OWNER.
THE PICTURES ARE NOT THE USUAL AMATEUR PICTURES :)

BOTH BLADES ARE MANDAU BLADES. CONCAVE / CONVEX IN SHAPE.

THE MASSIF BRASS/BRONZE HILT IS THE FORM THAT WE USUALLY SEE ON PARANG LATOK BLADES.
VERY UNUSUAL HILT IN THIS MATERIAL.

BEST REGARDS,
WILLEM

THE OWNER IS UNKNOWN TO ME THESE WERE ONES I BID ON AT THE RECENT ITALIAN AUCTION AND DID NOT WIN. I TOOK THE LIBERTY OF CAPTURING THE PICTURES AND HAD HOPED TO ADD THE SWORDS TO MY COLLECTION BUT ALAS IT WAS NOT TO BE. :shrug: THIS AUCTION HOUSE DOES DO A VERY GOOD JOB WITH THEIR PICTURES AND HOPEFULLY THEY WON'T MIND ME USING THEM AS I DID AT LEAST BID. :D
THESE SWORDS AS WELL AS QUITE A FEW OTHER NICE ITEMS WERE FROM THE ESTATE OF A WORLD TRAVELER WHO VISITED QUITE A FEW COUNTRY'S CIRCA 1920 AND BROUGHT BACK SOME NICE ITEMS THAT HAD BEEN IN THE FAMILY UNTIL NOW. I AM ALWAYS WILLING TO PICK UP THE TORCH FROM THE COLLECTORS WHO CAME BEFORE ME AND BE THE CUSTODIAN OF SUCH ITEMS UNTIL ITS MY TIME TO PASS THEM ON.
THE MURUT DO USE BRASS FERRULES AND GUARDS ON THEIR PACKAUNE BUT THIS REMINDS ME OF TIBOLI OR BAGOBO CASTING TECHNIQUE BUT THE DESIGNS ARE WRONG. THERE WAS QUITE A LOT OF CONTACT WITH THE PHILIPPINES ESPECIALLY THE MORO IN THAT PART OF BORNEO.
I AM GLAD TO KNOW MY USE OF ALL CAPS DOESN'T DEAFEN, BLIND , IRRITATE OR CONFUSE, THAT IS NOT MY INTENT ITS JUST MY STYLE. :D

To enlarge text in your browser, hold down the Ctrl key while striking the + key a few times (either of the + keys on keyboard will work and the - keys steps it back).

I ASSUME IT WAS CZERNY'S.
I PLACED BIDS FOR ABOUT 12 LOTS WITH THEM BUT DIDN'T WIN ANY. :(
THE PRICES WENT THROUGH THE ROOF RECENTLY.

YES CZERNY'S IT WAS, I PLACED FIVE BIDS AND DID COME CLOSE ON ONE BUT NO WINS. I SENT A P.M. TO YOU REGARDING YOUR TRIP TO BORNEO, GOOD HUNTING. :D