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Originally Posted by asomotif
I took the easy way and based my conclusion solely on the characteristic handle shape that can be found in Quer durch Borneo.
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Yes I know what you mean. But the Bahaus at the Mahakam had the same shape sometimes, for example in the image of Nieuwenhuis Quer durch Borneo I attached.
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Originally Posted by asomotif
Indeed the mandaus that Nieuwenhuis collected in the Mendalam area have much richer decorated scabbards, whereas this mandau has a simple scabbard. (and simple blade   )
But this could maybe also be due to
1. the fact that Nieuwenhuis spend a lot of money on the mandau's that he collected. This mandau more looks like a vet bring back or maybe a gift.
2. Nieuwenhuis collected them around 1910, my mandau will probably be of a later date. (maybe 1930's  ). |
You could be right. Nieuwenhuis spent a lot of money on the mandaus but don't forget he also got a lot as gifts, as he was a doctor and helped a lot of sick men, women and children from their ailments when possible....
About the scabbard. Somehow it doesn't feel Mendalam to me, but upper Mahakam. This besides of the carving, also because of the ratan knots that holds the two slabs of wood together.
When you look at Mendalam scabbards the ratan often are worked out of site beneath the upper slab of wood, instead of ratan knots which cover the upper wooden slab of the scabbard...
I'm not sure about the age of your mandau. It could be early 1900's and might be early collected?
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Originally Posted by asomotif
I know that you have spent much more time in books and museumcollection than I so, would love to hear why this is not Mendalam..
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Well I did and I planned to spend a lot of time in it in future. But sometimes I'm stucked in time for my work and my family obligations....as we probably all have these unnecessary necessities which keep us away to our achievements considering our passion/hobby..
The points I carried out makes me
think it's not Mahakam, but again it could be an erroneous answer from a Borneo/mandau scholar...