very old type mandau

[Mytribalworld]

This mandau just slipped into my private collection.

I think a very old piece, quite small grip, very nice scrollwork on tip of the blade and scabbard decorated with big tufts of human hair.
note that with of the hairtufts the human skin of the skull is included!
it is a strip of about 10 cm long.

Arjan.

[Henk]

Nice mandau!!!

But is the hair and skin human or and probably more likely goat?

[Dajak]

Hi the hair on skin looks different


What makes it an very old piece ??

ben

[Mytribalworld]

Originally Posted by Dajak

Hi the hair on skin looks different


What makes it an very old piece ??

ben

Hi Ben,

I think its an quite old one because of the small hooked handle,the blade begins with some cm non edged wich is ending in a kind of rib,scabbard wich is rich decorated with human/goat hair ( I just found out that the lower tuft is sure human wich is thinner and softer than the second tuft hair on the skin.) and of course the dark patina .
As you know I visited the depot of Leiden last year, some very old examples there had also that small ( quite simple but attractive handle)
forgot to list some pics of the good side of the blade so here they are.
its decorated on both sides but the inlays are only on one side.

[Maurice]

Hi Arjan,

I like this one!

[David]

That's a nice mandau...but as one who has headed his djembe drums with goat skin fairly often i also concur that that is goat, not human hair.