Piso Halasan?
 

Hello,

I've just won the bid for this http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1
advertised as a "batak sword".
To me it looks lika a piso halasan http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=2322 (courtesy of Oriental-Arms) a weapon that has been discussed here before. I am a bit worried by the hair/buffalo tail at the tip of the scabbard, but it looks authentic enough.

Are these prone to forgery and the tourist industry yet or are they still relatively safe from modern mutilators?
I rather like the looks of these...this one is 18"-20" as I recall the original description, so a 13"-14" blade?
Comments would be most appreciated.
Emanuel

no comments?

I do think it is Batak. I would not worry about the buffalo hair. Many weapons in the area have hair attached (buffalo, pig, goat, human, etc). Looks authentic enough.

Hi this one look like an tourist piece I have seen a lot off these piece s like these in Kuta and Sanur In Bali .

Real pieces That I have seen for sale price mostly something like at least 2000.00 euro .

Some pieces are so difficult to see if they are real that if you like to buy one
see better some Batak collectors and take the sword with you.

The hair you see mostly at some spears Or ritual staffs

Regards , Ben

thanks Dajak. Not seen a tourist piece before. Are these pictures from Sothebys and if so, which one?

Thanks for the answer Ben,
I'm anxious to receive it and have a good look at it, but in your experience, how are the blades on these tourist examples? Is the steel/metal descent or generally of poor quality?
The examples in the catalogue all seem of very high quality - or at least use expensive materials. Any pictures of simpler, common variety?

I'll certainly keep your advice in mind for future purchases.
Regards,
Emanuel

Hi Battara these pics are from an german book called Mit den Ahnen leben
Batak that shows also new stuff that they make for tourist

Battara,

In case you don't speak German as fluent as Ben there is a translation in English.
Achim Sibeth, The Batak, Thames and Hudson 1991.

Michael

Hi Michael is there also an english translation on the book HUVUDJÄGARNA



Ben

No,

But next time we meet I can translate the relevant parts for you :D
Still the pictures are great and they speak for themeselves.

Michael

Vielen Dank VVV,

Ich kann ein bischen Deutch lesen. :D

Hi dass ist sehr schön viele wichtige bucher sind geschrieben in deutsch


grüss Ben

Thanks, Michael. Just ordered a copy.
:)

There is an very important book about handle off Indonesia

but written in German Indonesische schwertgriffe bei W. Hein 1899
very important work on this subject