Mandau With Questions

[Robert]

I won this piece at auction few days ago with only a few fuzzy photos to go by. Now that it has arrived I though (as I know absolutely nothing about these) that I would ask the more knowledgeable members here for their opinions on the possible age of this piece and who it was that made it. This is a very plainly made piece with its only decoration being the simple carving of what appears to be monkeys holding some unidentifiable objects on each side of its antler hilt. The blade is also completely unadorned with none of the inlay or scrollwork seen on many other examples that I have seen. Because of this I am wondering if this was made for fighting or is simply a working blade meant for general utility purposes? Thankfully the rattan weaving that covers most of the grip itself is still in wonderful condition. Sorry about the poor quality of the photos, but as the weather would not permit taking them out of doors they were the best that I could get taking them inside. It does not show in the photos, but the concave side of the blade shows clear markings of a metal plane or scraper being used to cut away and shape the metal. The wooden sheath this came with is also very simply made and other than the rattan bandings (that are in need of repair) does not exhibit any of the beautiful carving usually seen on these pieces. All comments and any information offered on this would be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Robert

[Dajak]

The handle looks newer.

Dajak

[Robert]

Dajak, Thank you for your response and opinion on the hilt. As I know little of nothing about these swords I would ask if you might be so kind as to elaborate on how you came to this conclusion? Is it to do to the overall quality of the carving, the subject matter, the patina, all of these or something completely different? Because of the less than desirable lighting when these photos were taken the actual color of the antler is somewhere in between that shown in the photos of the complete sword and those showing only the hilt itself. Not quite as white as that shown in the full sword photos, but leaning a bit more towards that of the hilt only photos. I have read that many of these currently being offered for sale were made only to be used when preforming traditional dances and many more were made to supply the market for "those who travel". Judging from what little can be told from looking at these poor photos do you believe that this piece would fall into either of these categories? As the blade of this sword is almost razor sharp I cannot see how this would be at all helpful while dancing unless bloodletting was part of the performance.

Best,
Robert

[kai]

Hello Robert,

Ben knows his stuff and I also believe the blade is not older than the hilt. As you noted, the concave side hasn't been worked carefully which is unusual.

This obviously isn't one of those flimsy tourist toys though! What's the blade thickness?

To me it looks like a somewhat later piece for genuine use. However, I hope more of our resident mandau experts will chime in with more details and sound age estimates!

Regards,
Kai

[Dajak]

Hi Robert the style of the hilt is not old style always difficult to date piece from photo but maybe 1970/1980.

If heads where taking there are signs on the blade .....to recognise this is one of the things what I learned on my trip in Kalimantan last year living with the Bahau people in the Kampung Long Tuyo hunting with them....and where my friend Frans ( he did invite me to make the trip on the Mahakam about 950 km long on the river visiting Kampung overthere) did make it possible that they adopted me overthere where I get my dayak name also.

Here an pic of an old style Handle this one was taken in the 1930 from Borneo.

Laong Kawit

[asomotif]

Hello Robert,

I guess (hope) you did not pay a huge amount when buying without knowledge from fuzzy pictures

The scabbard is indeed very plain, this is not always an indication of age.
But this scabbard I would guess to be 2nd half 20th century.

The blade is also very plain, but than again, I have seen mid 19th century blades that where very plain as well. If this blade was well maintained I would not be surprised if it was around 1900. It can be more recent for sure.
But the lack of decoration is not the only age indicator imo.
This blade was definately made to be used. For work and if needed for battle.
As for the crude finish of the concave side. I am posting one of my mandau's
,not a recent piece imo, but also with a unusual and crude concave side.

The handle. that is a real puzzle. The "monkeys" are unusual. I sooner would think they represent the aso / dog. The style is unusual, but I don't use the terms "old style / new style". I really don't see the point of comparing this handle to one of an over the top decorated handle from the 1930's. the craftmaship of the carver can not be the only age indicator.
The rattan on the handle looks rather old and elaborate. based on that I would age the handle pre ww2.
The resin (structure of the surface) on the handle also looks old and authentic.
However, the shape/size of the resin is unusual. this section is very large.
Also the angle between handle an blade looks a bit out of line. And the heavy blade with the small handle are a bit to far out of proportion imo.

Could it be that the blade and handle where fitted recently


Where did you buy this blade from ? Indonesia / Malaysia ?

Best regards,
Willem

[Roland_M]

Hello Robert,

I'm not a great expert but I saw many Mandau in the Internet and books.

In my opinion your blade is at least 80 years old.

1: The shape of the blade and its size
2: The unusual handle, which I like a lot. All modern Mandau I know have either a poor handle (tourist swords) or a traditional handle.
3: The fuller seems old style

I believe your sword is old and was probably pretty early collected by western traveller/ missionars.


Roland