Unusual Sumatran sword, maybe Mandailing?

VVV · 16th August 2007, 10:14 PM

This tricky sword maybe some of you recognise from the Baltimore show?
I got it from Artzi and promised to share whatever I could find out about it on the forum.
My first impression was that it probably was from the Moluccas.
The blade looks a bit like Tanimbar and the hilt like those sometimes seen on swords from Buru and Obi.
But the quality is much better as well as the motifs didn't match that region.
I discussed it with Arjan who gave me the idea that it maybe could be Sumatran.
After some more research I think it probably is Mandailing.
That based on some related features on the few Mandailing blades I found in the Leiden archives (f.i. 769-23), as well as the motifs on this sword.
The Mandailing tribe are probably ex-Batak, but became Muslim quite early.
Here is a nice site about this people and some old pictures http://www.mandailing.org/Eng/indexeng.html

Michael

Dajak · 16th August 2007, 10:35 PM

Hi Michael it looks to me more an malay / borneo influence weapon

can you make an close up just below the hilt off the carving

I did see similar blade in the depot off an museum but no handle on it

Ben

VVV · 16th August 2007, 11:21 PM

Hi Ben,

Here you are.
Have you checked Leiden 769-23?
Do you have any pictures or references of the blade you had in mind from Borneo?
Was it a Parang Bedak blade without a hilt?

Michael

RSWORD · 17th August 2007, 02:16 AM

Michael,

Yes, a few of us did get the opportunity to see and handle this beaut at the Baltimore show. It is really a lovely piece and one of superior quality throughout.

Dajak · 17th August 2007, 08:14 AM

Hi Michael is that an coin under the handle we see this a lot in Borneo the motif under the handle I never did see that used in Sumatra .
I will go back to the museum as soon as I have time to make an full picture.

If you visit the Netherlands I can take you to this museum depot that closed in 2004 .
It has an old collection never see weapons like it before.

VVV · 17th August 2007, 08:28 AM

Rick and Ben,

Yes this sword has a very nice weapon feeling.

Ben, no coin under the handle on mine as sometimes found on the Dayak parang.
Which one on the picture has common features like my sword?
The motif is found in f.i. Aceh aka three intertwined ropes (see f.i. B Leigh p. 82)
Thanks for the invitation to visit the museum depot with you as well as eat some good Surinam food.
I e-mail you when I find a date to come down to Holland.

Michael

16th August 2007, 10:14 PM	#1
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Unusual Sumatran sword, maybe Mandailing? This tricky sword maybe some of you recognise from the Baltimore show? I got it from Artzi and promised to share whatever I could find out about it on the forum. My first impression was that it probably was from the Moluccas. The blade looks a bit like Tanimbar and the hilt like those sometimes seen on swords from Buru and Obi. But the quality is much better as well as the motifs didn't match that region. I discussed it with Arjan who gave me the idea that it maybe could be Sumatran. After some more research I think it probably is Mandailing. That based on some related features on the few Mandailing blades I found in the Leiden archives (f.i. 769-23), as well as the motifs on this sword. The Mandailing tribe are probably ex-Batak, but became Muslim quite early. Here is a nice site about this people and some old pictures http://www.mandailing.org/Eng/indexeng.html Michael Attached Images Last edited by VVV; 16th August 2007 at 10:31 PM. Reason: added two old pictures

16th August 2007, 11:21 PM	#3
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Hi Ben, Here you are. Have you checked Leiden 769-23? Do you have any pictures or references of the blade you had in mind from Borneo? Was it a Parang Bedak blade without a hilt? Michael Attached Images Last edited by VVV; 16th August 2007 at 11:32 PM.

17th August 2007, 08:14 AM	#5
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi Michael is that an coin under the handle we see this a lot in Borneo the motif under the handle I never did see that used in Sumatra . I will go back to the museum as soon as I have time to make an full picture. If you visit the Netherlands I can take you to this museum depot that closed in 2004 . It has an old collection never see weapons like it before. Attached Images

16th August 2007, 10:35 PM	#2
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi Michael it looks to me more an malay / borneo influence weapon can you make an close up just below the hilt off the carving I did see similar blade in the depot off an museum but no handle on it Ben

17th August 2007, 02:16 AM	#4
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,083	Michael, Yes, a few of us did get the opportunity to see and handle this beaut at the Baltimore show. It is really a lovely piece and one of superior quality throughout.

17th August 2007, 08:28 AM	#6
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Rick and Ben, Yes this sword has a very nice weapon feeling. Ben, no coin under the handle on mine as sometimes found on the Dayak parang. Which one on the picture has common features like my sword? The motif is found in f.i. Aceh aka three intertwined ropes (see f.i. B Leigh p. 82) Thanks for the invitation to visit the museum depot with you as well as eat some good Surinam food. I e-mail you when I find a date to come down to Holland. Michael