Tombak spearhead

Pieje · 31st January 2020, 04:03 PM

I bought this tombak spearhead out of curiosity (29 cm).
Was mounted on a simple wooden stick (total length ca. 150 cm).

Not my region of interest, but I did some homework.
Could be Javanese?
The oxidation of the wooden scabbard makes me think of 19th century.
The blade, btw very thick at its base, seems older?

Any corrections or additional info is highly appreciated!

kai · 31st January 2020, 05:37 PM

Hello Pieje,

Congrats, this is a good tombak, most probably Jawa. Quite likely to be 19th c. or older - there seems to be quite a bit of loss due to erosion which is to be expected. Alan may be able to narrow down the age/origin.

The scabbard seems to be made from cheap wood which tends to age quicker. I'd guess this is a 20th c. replacement.

You don't show the wooden pole - is it modern?

Regards,
Kai

A. G. Maisey · 31st January 2020, 07:03 PM

Yes, Jawa.

Stylistically the metuk looks like Mataram, as for age, I'd say pre-1850. I tend to be cautious about age.

Tombak very, very rarely come with anything like an original scabbard, the reason being that whereas keris were primarily talismanic in a combat situation, the tombak was the weapon of choice, thus as soon as, or before, the action started the scabbard was removed and just left where it lay.

Rick · 31st January 2020, 09:22 PM

This tombak gives the appearance of having a separate methuk sp? .
What is the significance of this separate ring or collar; could it be compared to the function of the gonjo of a keris?

Very nice tombak.

vilhelmsson · 31st January 2020, 11:05 PM

I am fascinated by the pattern-welding on this spear. I've only seen similar straight line pattern-welding on the Illerup Adal swords pictured below from vols 11 and 12 of Illerup Adal (and on an early medieval sword in my collection, the authenticity of which I am divided about).

Is pattern-welding like this common on tombaks? Is similar pattern-welding common on other items from a particularly time and place?

Pieje · 1st February 2020, 12:02 AM

Thanks Kai, Alan & Rick!
The pole is a simple wooden stick, I guess same age as the scabbard. I’ll make a picture tomorrow in daylight. The methuk doesn’t seem to be a separate piece.
Curious about the straight lines too, as I noticed a different pattern on most examples I have found on the net.

31st January 2020, 04:03 PM	#1
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Tombak spearhead I bought this tombak spearhead out of curiosity (29 cm). Was mounted on a simple wooden stick (total length ca. 150 cm). Not my region of interest, but I did some homework. Could be Javanese? The oxidation of the wooden scabbard makes me think of 19th century. The blade, btw very thick at its base, seems older? Any corrections or additional info is highly appreciated! Attached Images

31st January 2020, 11:05 PM	#5
vilhelmsson Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Bay Area Posts: 57	I am fascinated by the pattern-welding on this spear. I've only seen similar straight line pattern-welding on the Illerup Adal swords pictured below from vols 11 and 12 of Illerup Adal (and on an early medieval sword in my collection, the authenticity of which I am divided about). Is pattern-welding like this common on tombaks? Is similar pattern-welding common on other items from a particularly time and place? Attached Images

31st January 2020, 05:37 PM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Hello Pieje, Congrats, this is a good tombak, most probably Jawa. Quite likely to be 19th c. or older - there seems to be quite a bit of loss due to erosion which is to be expected. Alan may be able to narrow down the age/origin. The scabbard seems to be made from cheap wood which tends to age quicker. I'd guess this is a 20th c. replacement. You don't show the wooden pole - is it modern? Regards, Kai

31st January 2020, 07:03 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,886	Yes, Jawa. Stylistically the metuk looks like Mataram, as for age, I'd say pre-1850. I tend to be cautious about age. Tombak very, very rarely come with anything like an original scabbard, the reason being that whereas keris were primarily talismanic in a combat situation, the tombak was the weapon of choice, thus as soon as, or before, the action started the scabbard was removed and just left where it lay.

31st January 2020, 09:22 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,290	This tombak gives the appearance of having a separate methuk sp? . What is the significance of this separate ring or collar; could it be compared to the function of the gonjo of a keris? Very nice tombak.

1st February 2020, 12:02 AM	#6
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Thanks Kai, Alan & Rick! The pole is a simple wooden stick, I guess same age as the scabbard. I’ll make a picture tomorrow in daylight. The methuk doesn’t seem to be a separate piece. Curious about the straight lines too, as I noticed a different pattern on most examples I have found on the net.