Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Mytribalworld · 7th April 2010, 07:15 PM

Hi Chregu,

thanks for your mail, you asked me to examine these mandaus and I will give it a try.

1the first one is a Kenya mandau I think close to the border of Sarawak, the Inlayed blade was once longer, it has been shortened up at the point.
( note the diffence in length between scabbard and blade)
The hilt is somewhat unusual long and probably of a later date.
The scabbard and blade are however old ( around 1920 or so)

2 an old Kayan hilt fitting on a seemly old blade , the scabbard much longer than the blade but also old of Kenya origin from the Baram river area.
I think someone has put this one together from old parts.

3

A sea dayak mandau with a blade that is certainly worth better cleaning (I see nice decorations) original scabbard. The hilt with some rough or faded ? carving.possibly of later date.

4 an old Kajan mandau indeed. All pieces original and about 100 years old.

A nice variation to start a collection with and learn from your purchases.
If you like mandau collecting note there's a lot for sale with prices from 250 - 2500 dollar and higher. certainly not the fact that the cheapest onces are the worst pieces. On ebay there are also a lot for sale but in the most cases "put togethers" from old parts mixed with new mainly from Indonesia.
Take your time for collecting and compare photo's with museum examples those are one of the best sources!

friendly regards and happy collecting, Arjan.

7th April 2010, 07:15 PM	#6
Mytribalworld Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 400	Hi Chregu, thanks for your mail, you asked me to examine these mandaus and I will give it a try. 1the first one is a Kenya mandau I think close to the border of Sarawak, the Inlayed blade was once longer, it has been shortened up at the point. ( note the diffence in length between scabbard and blade) The hilt is somewhat unusual long and probably of a later date. The scabbard and blade are however old ( around 1920 or so) 2 an old Kayan hilt fitting on a seemly old blade , the scabbard much longer than the blade but also old of Kenya origin from the Baram river area. I think someone has put this one together from old parts. 3 A sea dayak mandau with a blade that is certainly worth better cleaning (I see nice decorations) original scabbard. The hilt with some rough or faded ? carving.possibly of later date. 4 an old Kajan mandau indeed. All pieces original and about 100 years old. A nice variation to start a collection with and learn from your purchases. If you like mandau collecting note there's a lot for sale with prices from 250 - 2500 dollar and higher. certainly not the fact that the cheapest onces are the worst pieces. On ebay there are also a lot for sale but in the most cases "put togethers" from old parts mixed with new mainly from Indonesia. Take your time for collecting and compare photo's with museum examples those are one of the best sources! friendly regards and happy collecting, Arjan.