Unusual Mentawai Palitai
 

I just recieved this today.
As you can see it's quite unusual for being a Mentawai knife compared to the more regular ones like the last picture.
I wonder if it belonged to an expat?

Michael

THOSE ARE BEAUTIES, CONGRADULATIONS
THE ONES I HAVE SEEN ARE LIKE THE ONES I WILL TRY AND POST PICTURES OF. I AM NOT SURE IF THESE ARE JUST USED FOR STATUS AND CEREMONONY OR WHAT AS i KNOW NOTHING OF THE CULTURE. YOUR TWO LOOK LIKE THEY COULD BE USED BUT THE ONES WITH THE CURLED POMMEL AND LIGHT WEIGHT WOOD AS PICTURED BELOW, WOULD BE PRONE TO BREAK EASILY.

could it be that they put on the silver later

Ben

Thanks for the comments,

Vandoo, the one you show looks more like a later, ceremonial version.
The Palitai that was made as a sidearm has a very good and strong steel blade.

Ben, I also suspect that the silver was made outside Mentawai (by an expat).

Michael

Hi Michael it looks that they maybe did that on Sumatra
it happens a long time ago .
can you move the silver a litle to see different patina ?


Ben

Hi Ben,

There is a difference in patina but not as much as one would expect.
I know it has been quite a long time in a collection drawer at the Dutch, former owner's "private museum" ;)

Michael

The silver does seem later to me - not seing any patina/oxidation in the grooves or crevaces.