Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons
FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 13th April 2022, 05:09 PM   #1
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,761
Default A mandau with faults for sharing and comment

I came across this mandau with some faults, the tip of the blade is broken and the scabbard back piece is incomplete.
But the front piece of the scabbard is unbroken and shows in up a very nice and deep carving and the blade is very hefty.
I want to share it here specially for the very nice carving on the scabbard's front piece and maybe someone will be able to tell me from which Dayak group this piece is coming. All comments are very welcome.
The sword is 61 cm long, blade is still 47,5 cm long and 9,3 mm thick behind the handle.
Attached Images
            
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13th April 2022, 09:31 PM   #2
David R
Member
 
David R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,079
Default

Nice one, the stuff that matters is there!
David R is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13th April 2022, 09:35 PM   #3
asomotif
Member
 
asomotif's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 2,224
Default

Hello Detlef,

That is an unusual carving indeed.
I have no idea.
The bottom part of the scabbard with the upward angle looks like what we see in the kutai region. Often this is combined with a rottan strip on the scabbard.

Nice piece
asomotif is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14th April 2022, 11:42 AM   #4
CharlesS
Member
 
CharlesS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greenville, NC
Posts: 1,857
Default

Very nice carving, and interesting hilt. I was wondering as well if a bamboo edge protector was missing.
CharlesS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14th April 2022, 12:56 PM   #5
Drabant1701
Member
 
Drabant1701's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Sweden
Posts: 181
Default

Carving is superb. Very nice piece, would collect.
Drabant1701 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14th April 2022, 06:16 PM   #6
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,761
Default

Thank you all for your comments!

Willem, thank you for the hint in direction Kutai.

And yes Charles, one side seems to have once a reinforcing of some sort.

The scabbard is in bad condition, only the front from ebony (?), a very hard wood is nearly undamaged. Only the now too wide upper rotan binding holds the parts together. But you can see where the from Willem mentioned further fine rotan bindings once where situated. The remaining binding at the handle is very brittle.
The blade is well used, several edge nicks are visible, the overall patination shows great use and age.

Attached are some improved pictures.
Attached Images
     
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14th April 2022, 06:21 PM   #7
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,761
Default

Has someone seen these "arm" carvings before somewhere?
Attached Images
  

Last edited by Sajen; 14th April 2022 at 06:39 PM. Reason: add pictures
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:44 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.