This one is for Bill Marsh: what is it?

ariel · 11th December 2006, 02:46 AM

Just ended.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...9267&rd=1&rd=1
Seems to me the new owner is Bill's semi-legendary friend Lonna.
What is so special about it?
I am not trying to be sarcastic (I do it occasionally

), just genuinely interested.

DaveS · 11th December 2006, 04:35 AM

Ariel: This is a sword from Timor in the eastern edge of indonesia. there is several styles of hilts and blades, and as far as i know none really has a name. These are pictured in Van Zonneveld plate 566, and the next page shows a native carrying what looks to be the same type of sword. This type of sword is rare and very seldom seen. One of the very few i have been lucky enough to see was at a tribal art show , with a price tag of over $4000.00. I guess there are still some bargains on ebay..........Dave

ariel · 11th December 2006, 04:53 AM

Well, with a 10:1 profit margin, she can drop the "semi" from her title any time

Bill, you associate with very smart people!
And, Dave, thanks for the lesson!

DaveS · 11th December 2006, 04:56 AM

BTW, i also noticed that there are two or three Timor swords each with a different style of handle on ebay and these have names. I don,t know why Van Zonnenveld doesn't give the names for each handle style.......Dave

VVV · 11th December 2006, 07:54 AM

Dave,

I think you can find the names in van Zonneveld if you are thinking about Surik etc?
On your Tanimbar sword have a close look at the bone when you get it.
I have been told that it's not whale bone but dolphin bone used for the handles of those.

Michael

CharlesS · 11th December 2006, 05:22 PM

Bill Marsh and I both learned the hard way two years ago that these swords are currently being reproduced by Balinese artisans, using old material, and copying carving styles. The blades have a much more machined look than the old ones.

I hope this is not a repeat of the same mistakes, but I suspect it is not an old example. Hope I'm wrong.

Bill M · 11th December 2006, 10:40 PM

DaveS is Mr. Lonna. The other half of the Semi-Legendary Couple.

True Tanimbar swords are very rare and expensive. I saw one sell at one of the big auction houses for $7,000.

Here is my example. It could be real. Could be. Did I emphasize COULD BE?. Well, might be.

It must have dolphin bone ....

Now, Chumley the dog is real and is alseep next to some Moro armor. He feels safe there.... well, he is not really alseep. Just watching out for Timor dolphins.

DaveS · 11th December 2006, 10:40 PM

Charles: I hope so too!!!!!!!!!!. But if it isn't an old one it wouldn't be the first time we have been fooled, and it probably won't be the last......Dave.

11th December 2006, 02:46 AM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	This one is for Bill Marsh: what is it? Just ended. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...9267&rd=1&rd=1 Seems to me the new owner is Bill's semi-legendary friend Lonna. What is so special about it? I am not trying to be sarcastic (I do it occasionally ), just genuinely interested.

11th December 2006, 10:40 PM	#7
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	DaveS is Mr. Lonna. The other half of the Semi-Legendary Couple. True Tanimbar swords are very rare and expensive. I saw one sell at one of the big auction houses for $7,000. Here is my example. It could be real. Could be. Did I emphasize COULD BE?. Well, might be. It must have dolphin bone .... Now, Chumley the dog is real and is alseep next to some Moro armor. He feels safe there.... well, he is not really alseep. Just watching out for Timor dolphins. Attached Images

11th December 2006, 04:35 AM	#2
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	Ariel: This is a sword from Timor in the eastern edge of indonesia. there is several styles of hilts and blades, and as far as i know none really has a name. These are pictured in Van Zonneveld plate 566, and the next page shows a native carrying what looks to be the same type of sword. This type of sword is rare and very seldom seen. One of the very few i have been lucky enough to see was at a tribal art show , with a price tag of over $4000.00. I guess there are still some bargains on ebay..........Dave

11th December 2006, 04:53 AM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Well, with a 10:1 profit margin, she can drop the "semi" from her title any time Bill, you associate with very smart people! And, Dave, thanks for the lesson!

11th December 2006, 04:56 AM	#4
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	BTW, i also noticed that there are two or three Timor swords each with a different style of handle on ebay and these have names. I don,t know why Van Zonnenveld doesn't give the names for each handle style.......Dave

11th December 2006, 07:54 AM	#5
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Dave, I think you can find the names in van Zonneveld if you are thinking about Surik etc? On your Tanimbar sword have a close look at the bone when you get it. I have been told that it's not whale bone but dolphin bone used for the handles of those. Michael

11th December 2006, 05:22 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Bill Marsh and I both learned the hard way two years ago that these swords are currently being reproduced by Balinese artisans, using old material, and copying carving styles. The blades have a much more machined look than the old ones. I hope this is not a repeat of the same mistakes, but I suspect it is not an old example. Hope I'm wrong.