Square Line pattern Ilang
 

First time I saw this Parang was at a Danish auction house over 4 years ago.
I was in company with the late Karsten Sejr Jensen but none of us bid on it because a Danish Borneo collector friend of us wanted it and it as the only mandau at the auction. And there were several nice keris, kris and other goodies for us so...
But last month I managed to get it so here it is.
I think it's from NW Borneo but open for other suggestions?

Michael

PS Close up of the hilt at the Face Gallery.

Hi Michael,

An intriging beautifully carved handle!
Seadajak?

Maurice

To me it looks more like Dusun.
Compare the examples in Hein's Indonesische Schwertgriffe (Marudubai)

Michael

Ahhh Michael....i will be raiding your house sometime soon, i am sure... ;) :D

I come with you, I am sure it's enough for both of us! :D :D ;)

Your are both welcome.
But beware, I am well armed...

Michael

Michael,

NW Borneo for sure, but I never know when I should start calling something Murut.

The square pattern is only on one side ?
Do you have close ups of the other decorations ?
Maybe the lines / squares are more a coastal influence from other parts of the archipelago :shrug:

I have a hilt with similar features that has a imho chinese dragon carved.
That must be a coastal influence too, I assume.

The Muruts and Dusun were living in the north east part of Borneo:Sabah, and not in the NW part of Borneo???
Or am I misreading something here?

Maurice

Maurice, to me the Western part of Sabah, like Marudu Bay, is NW Borneo :confused:

Willem, the square pattern is only on one side and the other side has a scroll motif. I don't recall a resembling motif from other parts of the archipelago but I am open for suggestions?
On yours the interesting dragon probably is a Chinese influence, as you suggested.

Michael

I was thinking of balinese offering knives / betelnutcutters
They have line work inlays. Not the same. but that is the closest link I can think of.

Maybe is the square pattern an imitation on a plaiting pattern? These have been imitated on earthware, and I recall, in Solyoms Keris book there is a depiction of javanese pendoks with a plaited motif. Was it called "burning incense" on Java and have a protective meaning? I don't have this book, so I am not 100% sure.

Thanks Gustav and Willem,

I just checked Solyom. It's described on page 58 and you remember correctly.
It seems like a probable clue to this motif.

Michael

THE DRAGON HANDLE ASOMOTIF POSTED COULD BE THE ASO (DOG DRAGON) IT IS AN OLD DESIGN OFTEN SEEN REPRESENTED IN MANY FORMS. THIS PICTURE OF SOME OLD EXAMPLES THE HEADS RESEMBLE THE MANDAU HILT. THE DESIGN COULD STILL BE INFLUENCED BY THE CHINESE AS THEY HAVE TRADED IN THE AREA FOR A LONG TIME.
THESE TWO CARVINGS ARE ATTRIBUTED TO THE KENYAH/ KAYAN GROUPS.

Michael, take a look at this: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10847!

Both patterns on one blade! I think now, it's clearly protective.

That's for sure the most interesting klewang from the Banjarmasin area.
But also it's coming from a complete different part as the mandau Michael posted.

the traditional craftsmanship of Borneo never ceased to amaze me... I really like that parang. :)