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#1 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greenville, NC
Posts: 1,855
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Here is lovely old Malay sundang with a fairly standard blade and scabbard(though the horn ringed mouth is a nice feature).
The unique feature of this sundang is its one piece carved horn hilt. The hilt is carved from what appears to be water buffalo horn and is carved to mimic a multi-piece hilt construction. The bolster, the illusion of a segmented grip, and the pommel, are all carved from one piece. Note the bolster leaves no room for a clamp or baca-baca, and the blade shows no evidence of ever having one, even though the blade is chiseled to accept one. Perhaps the extra strength of the horn, rather than wooden, grip made the clamp unnecessary. I am not quite sure if this is a poor man's version of a Malay sundang hilt or something better. Regardless, a lot of work, thought and originality went into its creation! Comments welcomed. |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,732
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Hello Charles,
very nice Malay sundang. I have a picture in my database from a very, very similar piece. I first thought that it is the same one. I don't remember if the hilt has been from horn or from tarnished silver. This sundang has a baca-baca. ![]() Regards, Detlef |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 336
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The pierce work on the kembang kacang is really cool.
Have fun, Leif |
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#4 |
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
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That's a fine Sundang there Charles. I think it is a cut above the "poor" mans Sundang as the blade is a fine type...the hilt has features heading in the direction of this one I present;
Here is his big brother. This example wears a stunning repousse silver sheath over its original timber inner and horn throat piece....the timber inner cannot be removed so I cannot comment on whether the base has a horn insert. it carries a broad 5 luk blade with the luks to the base and broad clear hardened edge. I really like the blade type in yours, it has very strong features. Gavin |
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#5 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 1,324
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The Malay sundang Detlef is refering to has a similar segments grip, covered with brass segments and silver wire. It has a horn pommel in the shape of a bird. Maybe yours had brass or silver wire in the past too around the grip? I will make a photo of the hilt within a few days for you as reference. Kind regards, Maurice |
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#6 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,732
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congrats, great catch! Also the mandau is great! ![]() Best regards, Detlef |
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#7 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 1,324
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The sundang is very nice, but in this lot the mandau was my first priority... Kind regards, Maurice |
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#8 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,732
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Hello Maurice, when I remember correct it is special and a great piece, but my first priority was the sundang, great piece with the bird carved pommel! ![]() Curious to see your pictures. Best regards, Detlef |
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#9 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greenville, NC
Posts: 1,855
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Maurice I really don't get the sense here that there was ever silver or brass grip segments or a silver ferrule here. I think the way it is...imitating those things...is exactly what the craftsman was going for. |
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#10 | |
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
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Gavin |
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#11 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 1,324
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I said, that maybe, (just maybe), there would be silver wire or segments on the grip, and I meant between the higher levels carving. I agree with you the craftsman was imitating those things, but in between there could be some silverwire or brass segments for decoration or have a better grip. But ofcourse maybe there never was, and it is just because I am used to see that on handles... ![]() |
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#12 |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 1,324
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Here the photos of the handle.
A small piece is damaged at the back of the handle. |
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