Indonesian Knife?? (Mentawaï? )
 

Hello,

I have this knife for several years but I do not know anything about are origin.
The seller said it came from an old Austrian collection of South-East Asian items and that the knives were perhaps Indonesian but he was not sure.
I still took the risk of buying the knife because I like unusual or original objects. :D

At some research I found it looked like the Mentawai Palitai, but the scabbard entry and the handle are very different from the usual Palitais.

Do you have an idea? :confused:

You are right. the scabbard and blade are typical a palitai.
And indeed the scabbard mouth and handle are a modification.

Best regards,
Willem

Palitai
 

IMO the lower part of the scabbard and the blade are that of a Palitai from the Mentawai Islands.
The upper part of the scabbard and the hilt don't look like Mentawai, and probably are later additions.

Thank to you two.

So I guess the changes were made in Europe or with a European style influence (probably after the handle was broken?).

Even though it was modified I'm glad I found a Palitai. :)