Dayak parang

David · 16th July 2007, 09:09 PM

I stumbled across this at an antique mall in Cincinnati, of all places.

Not exactly known for it's ethnographic weaponry. Sorry for the bad photos. Shot it very quickly in the fading light last evening.
Can anyone put a better ID on this one. Sorry, i forgot to measure it, but it has a fairly short blade. I'll add the measurements when i get home tonight. I hesitate to call it a mandau because the size and shape seems a bit different. Seems like a well made old blade though and i love the hilt carving, which is also a bit different than ones i have seen.

David · 16th July 2007, 09:11 PM

Here's a couple of more pics.

Sorry, no scabbard with this one.

ariel · 16th July 2007, 09:44 PM

Fabulous!
This is the classic example of a beheading sword used by the feared Headhunters of Blue Ash!

Battara · 16th July 2007, 10:33 PM

I love the carving. Congratulations! Reminds me of something Iban.

David · 16th July 2007, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Fabulous!
This is the classic example of a beheading sword used by the feared Headhunters of Blue Ash!

LOL!!! Hey, what do you know about Blue Ash?

David · 16th July 2007, 10:48 PM

Yes Jose, i thought it might be Iban, but frankly i don't know all that much about this stuff. I only have one mandau in my collection and a whole lotta keris as you know.

Hopefully i can get some opinions from Ben, Willem, Michael and Dave who seem to know a great deal more about these weapons.

kai · 16th July 2007, 10:52 PM

Hello David,

Hmm, the blade and the hilt do show some skill. However, I'm fairly sure the hilt isn't carved in any traditional style - looks 20th century to me, possibly for someone travelling for pleasure...

Regards,
Kai

Bill M · 17th July 2007, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Hello David,

Hmm, the blade and the hilt do show some skill. However, I'm fairly sure the hilt isn't carved in any traditional style - looks 20th century to me, possibly for someone travelling for pleasure...

Regards,
Kai

LOL and ROTFLMAO!!!!! Wish EAA had Rammy smilies!

VANDOO · 17th July 2007, 12:42 AM

I LIKE IT

IT LOOKS LIKE DAYAK WORK TO ME BASICLY TRADITIONAL DESIGN WITH A FEW THINGS ADDED THAT LOOK MORE LIKE BATAK, THE SNAKE FOR INSTANCE. I WOULD ESTIMATE IT IS NO NEWER THAN 50 YEARS OLD AND PERHAPS UP TO 100 ,CAN'T TELL FROM THE PICTURES EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE VERY GOOD. I WOULD CERTIANLY LIKE TO ADD IT TO MY COLLECTION IF IT WAS IN MY PRICE RANGE. TOO BAD IT IS MISSING ITS SCABBARD, I SUSPECT THE MANDAU EXPERTS WILL BE ABLE TO TELL YOU MUCH MORE. WISH I COULD RUN ACROSS SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN AN ANTIQUE SHOP AROUND HERE.

David · 17th July 2007, 12:46 AM

hmmm, well the blade is rather weighty and well made and shows considerable wear and patina, as does the hilt. The pictures don't do justice as i suggested earily. If this is 20thC it is certainly very early on in that century. I suppose the hilt could have been a latter addition, but it doesn't look or feel that way. Everything about this piece gives me the impression that it saw a good deal of use. Maybe "someone travelling for pleasure" cut through a few jungles with it on their journeys.

Its overall length is just shy of 20 in. with the blade alone only 14.5 in.
Rather compact, still very sharp and definitely dangerous, even for its size.

Bill M · 17th July 2007, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Fabulous!
This is the classic example of a beheading sword used by the feared Headhunters of Blue Ash!

Ohio?

16th July 2007, 09:09 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,113	Dayak parang I stumbled across this at an antique mall in Cincinnati, of all places. Not exactly known for it's ethnographic weaponry. Sorry for the bad photos. Shot it very quickly in the fading light last evening. Can anyone put a better ID on this one. Sorry, i forgot to measure it, but it has a fairly short blade. I'll add the measurements when i get home tonight. I hesitate to call it a mandau because the size and shape seems a bit different. Seems like a well made old blade though and i love the hilt carving, which is also a bit different than ones i have seen. Attached Images

16th July 2007, 09:11 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,113	Here's a couple of more pics. Sorry, no scabbard with this one. Attached Images

16th July 2007, 09:44 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Fabulous! This is the classic example of a beheading sword used by the feared Headhunters of Blue Ash!

16th July 2007, 10:33 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	I love the carving. Congratulations! Reminds me of something Iban.

16th July 2007, 10:48 PM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,113	Yes Jose, i thought it might be Iban, but frankly i don't know all that much about this stuff. I only have one mandau in my collection and a whole lotta keris as you know. Hopefully i can get some opinions from Ben, Willem, Michael and Dave who seem to know a great deal more about these weapons.

16th July 2007, 10:52 PM	#7
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Hello David, Hmm, the blade and the hilt do show some skill. However, I'm fairly sure the hilt isn't carved in any traditional style - looks 20th century to me, possibly for someone travelling for pleasure... Regards, Kai

17th July 2007, 12:42 AM	#9
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I LIKE IT IT LOOKS LIKE DAYAK WORK TO ME BASICLY TRADITIONAL DESIGN WITH A FEW THINGS ADDED THAT LOOK MORE LIKE BATAK, THE SNAKE FOR INSTANCE. I WOULD ESTIMATE IT IS NO NEWER THAN 50 YEARS OLD AND PERHAPS UP TO 100 ,CAN'T TELL FROM THE PICTURES EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE VERY GOOD. I WOULD CERTIANLY LIKE TO ADD IT TO MY COLLECTION IF IT WAS IN MY PRICE RANGE. TOO BAD IT IS MISSING ITS SCABBARD, I SUSPECT THE MANDAU EXPERTS WILL BE ABLE TO TELL YOU MUCH MORE. WISH I COULD RUN ACROSS SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN AN ANTIQUE SHOP AROUND HERE.

17th July 2007, 12:46 AM	#10
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,113	hmmm, well the blade is rather weighty and well made and shows considerable wear and patina, as does the hilt. The pictures don't do justice as i suggested earily. If this is 20thC it is certainly very early on in that century. I suppose the hilt could have been a latter addition, but it doesn't look or feel that way. Everything about this piece gives me the impression that it saw a good deal of use. Maybe "someone travelling for pleasure" cut through a few jungles with it on their journeys. Its overall length is just shy of 20 in. with the blade alone only 14.5 in. Rather compact, still very sharp and definitely dangerous, even for its size.