Mystery sword #153

Bill M · 23rd September 2006, 04:25 PM

I got this mostly because I like the hilt. Appears to be carved horn. Could be wood. 26" over all length. Single edged along the curved side.

I really appreciate the Forumites' help in ID'ing this piece!

Flavio · 23rd September 2006, 04:46 PM

Hi Bill, beautiful sword!! On Zonneveld this is called klevang from Sumatra, Batak .
Hope this help

Bill M · 23rd September 2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flavio

Hi Bill, beautiful sword!! On Zonneveld this is called klevang from Sumatra, Batak .
Hope this help

Thanks, Flavio. I love the Batak carvings! Did not place it there, but it makes sense. Bought it at a live auction on Boston about two years ago.

Any other input?

CharlesS · 26th September 2006, 01:50 PM

Probably the best of these I've seen both in execution of the blade and the hilt. Quite nice!

Mark · 26th September 2006, 04:05 PM

I am struck by how much the pattern of the carving resembles Burmese wood and ivory carving (southern Burmese, that is, right above the Malay peninsula is where a lot was originally done). The piece is completely different from anything Burmese, so I'm not suggesting its from there. Hopefully I can find a good photo for comparison. Stay tuned.

Ferguson · 26th September 2006, 07:30 PM

Absolutely stunning.

Steve

VVV · 26th September 2006, 07:37 PM

Beautiful!

That's a great hilt.
Haven't seen them before with silver, like yours.

Michael

katana · 26th September 2006, 10:21 PM

Even though I cannot help with ID...I can appreciate a well crafted weapon...very nice Bill

Bill M · 26th September 2006, 10:36 PM

Had to see the silver cleaned.

Does anyone know what this sword is called? Best I have so far is a Batak.

Don't really want to keep calling it "Mystery Sword 153!"

VVV · 26th September 2006, 11:07 PM

How about Klewang as Flavio posted?

According to van Zonneveld as well as Sibeth's Batak book it's Batak.
But according to Fisher's Leiden catalogue on Sumatra it's from (or found in) Palembang.
Actually the scabbard, and shape of the blade, of those Klewang look more Palembang than Batak?

Michael

Bill M · 27th September 2006, 12:15 AM

I have it on good authority that it is

"very nice, but I would say that it not Batak. It looks to me from the style and quality of workmanship to be from the Palambang area of Sumatra."

I think that you are right VVV.

Battara · 27th September 2006, 12:48 AM

You know, cleaning the silver raises the value. It's bronze that should never be cleaned (steel is a different subject). Age will already darken recesses that add definition of the design. Just food for thought.

26th September 2006, 10:36 PM	#9
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	All right guys, you got me cleaning the hilt! Had to see the silver cleaned. Does anyone know what this sword is called? Best I have so far is a Batak. Don't really want to keep calling it "Mystery Sword 153!" Attached Images

26th September 2006, 11:07 PM	#10
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	How about Klewang as Flavio posted? According to van Zonneveld as well as Sibeth's Batak book it's Batak. But according to Fisher's Leiden catalogue on Sumatra it's from (or found in) Palembang. Actually the scabbard, and shape of the blade, of those Klewang look more Palembang than Batak? Michael Last edited by VVV; 26th September 2006 at 11:28 PM. Reason: additional info and sources

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23rd September 2006, 04:25 PM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Mystery sword #153 I got this mostly because I like the hilt. Appears to be carved horn. Could be wood. 26" over all length. Single edged along the curved side. I really appreciate the Forumites' help in ID'ing this piece! Attached Images

23rd September 2006, 04:46 PM	#2
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hi Bill, beautiful sword!! On Zonneveld this is called klevang from Sumatra, Batak . Hope this help

26th September 2006, 01:50 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Probably the best of these I've seen both in execution of the blade and the hilt. Quite nice!

26th September 2006, 04:05 PM	#5
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	I am struck by how much the pattern of the carving resembles Burmese wood and ivory carving (southern Burmese, that is, right above the Malay peninsula is where a lot was originally done). The piece is completely different from anything Burmese, so I'm not suggesting its from there. Hopefully I can find a good photo for comparison. Stay tuned.

26th September 2006, 07:30 PM	#6
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Absolutely stunning. Steve

26th September 2006, 07:37 PM	#7
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Beautiful! That's a great hilt. Haven't seen them before with silver, like yours. Michael

26th September 2006, 10:21 PM	#8
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Even though I cannot help with ID...I can appreciate a well crafted weapon...very nice Bill

27th September 2006, 12:15 AM	#11
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	I have it on good authority that it is "very nice, but I would say that it not Batak. It looks to me from the style and quality of workmanship to be from the Palambang area of Sumatra." I think that you are right VVV.

27th September 2006, 12:48 AM	#12
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	You know, cleaning the silver raises the value. It's bronze that should never be cleaned (steel is a different subject). Age will already darken recesses that add definition of the design. Just food for thought.