Unusual Mentawai Palitai

VVV · 7th August 2007, 03:50 PM

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

VANDOO · 7th August 2007, 04:24 PM

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.

Dajak · 7th August 2007, 05:20 PM

could it be that they put on the silver later

Ben

VVV · 7th August 2007, 09:31 PM

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

Dajak · 7th August 2007, 09:47 PM

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

VVV · 7th August 2007, 10:30 PM

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

Battara · 8th August 2007, 07:08 PM

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

7th August 2007, 03:50 PM	#1
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	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 Attached Images

7th August 2007, 04:24 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	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. Attached Images

7th August 2007, 05:20 PM	#3
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	could it be that they put on the silver later Ben

7th August 2007, 09:31 PM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	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

7th August 2007, 09:47 PM	#5
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	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

7th August 2007, 10:30 PM	#6
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	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

8th August 2007, 07:08 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	The silver does seem later to me - not seing any patina/oxidation in the grooves or crevaces.