Hello Tim,
I did not really look into this thread before.
To be honest because at first impression the piece does look like something put together for the tourists.
The blade and scabbard appear to be matching, but they must be something from Java IMHO.might well be early 20th century.
The handle as Arjan already mentioned is carved pretty rough and not very traditional. sometimes you see mandaus with hilts that have more or less this style. It is not what most collectors are looking for in a mandau hilt.
But as times change also designs on Borneo change.
So it can be a mandau handle maybe from the 70'.
Than there is the red wrapping around the hilt.
Is it some kind of ray skin ? or is it plastic imitation ray skin ?
This is something that I would certainly place outside of Borneo.
Than you mention that the hilt was fixed with melted plastic.
if it was put together on Borneo I think they would have used resin / damar as this is the traditional way of fixing hilts on Borneo.
All together, my opinion is also that the piece was put together.
Where, I do not know. But not by someone with Dayak background.
Best regards,
Willem
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