A Cockatoo headed badik tumbuk lada
 

Hello All,

I recently acquired this and hoped my fellow forumites might be able to tell me more about it.

I read somewhere that this type comes from central Sumatra, and the form shows some Batak influence, but I'm not sure how reliable this is. The handle and scabbard I think are of wonderfully carved bone and the fittings seem to be nicely (embossed?) copper.

The blade has some form of calligraphy on it. I have no idea what language it might be nor what it says and would love if someone could read it.

I also haven't the foggiest idea on age, and would greatly appreciate any thoughts on it.

Overall, the whole thing looks remarkably similar to Kronckew's here. Mine has an extra band on the scabbard and the fittings are of a different metal.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...38&postcount=8

As always, and and all comments or corrections would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Leif

More photos, mostly of the blade
 

I tried to get the calligraphy, but I'm not sure how legible it is.

I'm suspicious of the hilt and scabbard material; I think I can see casting voids in the handle especially.
I don't think this is very old.

Hope I'm wrong.. :(

Hello Leif,

I am nearly sure that Rick is correct, have handled some similar ones over the years, scabbard and handle are casted from a to me unknown material, cheap artifical aged blade. Very sorry to tell you the true, hope it was not expensive.

Best regards,
Detlef

I have one very much like it in my junk drawer -was touted as 'bone' grip & scabbard. I think it's more likely a hard plastic. mine was a bit better cast. the blade, also with calligraphy is not of the best quality either. cheap tho.

Oh well, to quote Kurt Vonnegut, so it goes.

Fortunately, I did not pay much for it. So little in fact that I almost felt bad for the seller.
I feel less bad now.

Do you think the same is true of Kronckew's in the linked thread above?

If in fact you and Rick are correct, I think this is probably of an older generation of these, and not the current ones coming out of Borneo and sold all over ebay. I actually have one of these from Borneo and they are of significantly lower quality. I'm including a side by side pic.

Have fun,
Leif

1.Yes, think Kronckew has confirmed already in up. 2.This style of tourist sewars I know already long, so there will be also older examples.

Best regards,
Detlef

Thank you all for your responses, even if they were not what I wanted to hear.

Hopefully, some other collector in the future will see this and choose not buy a similar item.

Thanks,
Leif

just to complete the set: had mine for at least 6 years now. :)
live & learn.

pic from that earlier thread.

It is a supposedly Indonesian Sewar... but I have just seen very similar ones sold on eBay for peanuts, and they all come from Malaysia.

I had a very similar one that I sold, but mine was definitely of carved wood, as it was rather old (about 20 years or so).

:shrug:

I SUPPOSE THIS COULD BE REFERRED TO AS GETTING THE BIRD. :D I OF COURSE HAVE ONE IN MY ETHNOGRAPHIC REPO BIN AS WELL. IF I THINK OF THEM LIKE I WAS STILL IN MY EARLY TEENS I CAN STILL THINK THEY ARE KIND OF COOL. ;)

Frankly i am immediately suspicious of any Indonesian blade with etched phrases (usually from the Quran) on the blade. :shrug:

location, location, location...they were quite popular with the mahdi's supporters in the sudan. :)

I forget who said it initially, but I've read here, more than once, that "experience is expensive."

I'm glad mine wasn't horribly so.

Have fun,
Leif

Yeah, experience costs, but as you point out, not always a lot of money.

My favourite comment along these lines is:-

all education costs money.

That is one of the truest statements I've ever read. I kind of want to send it to some of my old economics professors.

Thanks,
Leif

"I have no idea what language it might be nor what it says and would love if someone could read it."


it's a repitition of Allahu akbar

So are typos.
I misplaced the decimal point on an ebay tulwar bid .. once!
Of course I won the item but the price. :eek:

Bet you learnt to type real good after that Rick.

Education.

...any related future nightmares I have are now your fault.

Have "fun,"
Leif

No Alan, he learned to type really well. ;) :)

Yes David, I'm sure he did learn to type really well, in addition to learning to type real good.

I guess this is me in my redneck personna.