old ? indonesian ? parang

[francantolin]

Hello,

I'd like to have your precious advice about this small sword-machete,
I think it's an indonesian parang with an interesting hilt.
Pamor blade ? ( I have to clean it !)
Seems old with ''bad'' repairs but I'm not sure.

Thank you

[Sajen]

Hello Francantolin,

it is a dua lalan from the Toraja, Sulawesi. With a little bit search at this site you will find other examples, when I find the time I can take pictures from my own example. Yours missing most of the bone inlays at the horn handle but still a nice example and with a little care it will look much better. This swords were used for fighting and for slaughtering buffaloes, therefore the name. Here an other one for comparison: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=lalan

Regards,
Detlef

[francantolin]

Hello Detlef,

Thanks a lot for your precious comments and informations !!!

Yes I will try to gently clean the blade
and perhaps change the scabbard ''ropes'' with small brass sheet fittings
for the bone missing inlays, dont know what to do !

Kind regards

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by francantolin

Thanks a lot for your precious comments and informations !!!

You are welcome!

Originally Posted by francantolin

..and perhaps change the scabbard ''ropes'' with small brass sheet fittings

Please don't do this, the scabbards from dua lalans are every time wrapped with rotan, removing the the rotan would destroy the original appearance. This can be restored properly, see for example here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=barong

Originally Posted by francantolin

..for the bone missing inlays, dont know what to do !

I just would let it like this until you find someone who will be able to do it good. By my example are also missing bone inlays at the handle. I think they used fish bone for this, the bone is extreme hard stuff! Not every fault need to get restored, it's an antique piece, missing small pieces add character!

Best regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Here some fast taken pictures just before from my own example, you see that the rotan wrapping need as well some attention in future. At the handle are missing the thin long inlays at the bulge from the handle IMO.

[Sajen]

And here another dua lalan scabbard from a restore project. The scabbard is very old with nice patina and with intact rotan wrapping.

[kai]

Hello Franc,

I'm with Detlef - just some limited TLC will do: It's a genuine, antique dua lalan with just a few losses.

The pamor blade could use thorough cleaning for long-term preservation. Just some minor cleaning of the fittings will do IMHO. Maybe post some updated pics for additional comments later.

The bone inlay is most probably water buffalo - I haven't tested my specimens yet though.

Regards,
Kai

[francantolin]

Ok, Thank you !!!

I will keep the original rotan wrappings , no worries
( I thought it was a later / recent change )

I will take the time for find the maximum of informations/ rotan wraps
or just keep it like that ( just clean the blade )

Kind regards !!!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

Maybe post some updated pics for additional comments later.

Agree with Kai, not so many dua lalans got posted at this place and it's every time good to see as many as possible examples for study and reference.

Originally Posted by kai

The bone inlay is most probably water buffalo - I haven't tested my specimens yet though.

I also haven't tested my examples but the feel is like very hard plastic or ceramic, so my guess. But water buffalo is a very good assumption!