A mandau with faults for sharing and comment

[Sajen]

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.

[David R]

Nice one, the stuff that matters is there!

[asomotif]

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

[CharlesS]

Very nice carving, and interesting hilt. I was wondering as well if a bamboo edge protector was missing.

[Drabant1701]

Carving is superb. Very nice piece, would collect.

[Sajen]

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.

[Sajen]

Has someone seen these "arm" carvings before somewhere?