Text on rencong

Freddy · 3rd July 2006, 06:57 PM

I found this rencong this weekend. I don't think it's very old, but I found an arabic (?) text on the blade. Could anyone translate ?

This rencong has a copper (?) blade. The handle and sheath are made from horn. My guess is that it's a tourist piece. Anyone has another suggestion ?

Battara · 4th July 2006, 02:08 AM

I don't know about tourist piece. Certainly it is recent. The blade looks like steel or white metal in most of the pictures, but brass in the closeup.

The inscription I think is a bismallah (name of God) or at least a petition to God, the first word (going right to left) is "Allah".

Pangeran Datu · 4th July 2006, 02:22 AM

Hi,
I believe it to be a 'tourist' piece. Brass and horn pieces proliferated South-east Asia post late-sixties. The materials are easier to come by, cheaper and easier to work with,...i.e. more cost effective, more tourist dollars in much shorter time. Sometimes, two would be mounted on a board/shield. Similarly with kerises, kujangs etc.

Regards.

Alam Shah · 4th July 2006, 04:41 AM

The Quranic text is "Bismilahir rahmanir Rahiim", which means,
In the name of Allah , the Beneficent , the Merciful.

It looks touristy piece to me.

What do you think of these?

http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php

http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php

TVV · 6th July 2006, 04:51 AM

While the topic is arabic text on touristy rencongs, I also have one I recently acquired. The same inscription has been inlyaed with brass on both sides of the blade. There is also some decorative inlay that looks light it went quite wrong. On the other hand the pommel cap is ivory, although the scabbard mouth is bone. Therefore I am guessing that while even if the rencong is not intended for tourists, it is of recent manufacture. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. I appologize in advance if the inscription is turned upside down.
Thanks,
Teodor

Alam Shah · 6th July 2006, 06:34 AM

TVV,
The Arabic text on your rencong, looks like "Allahu Akbar" literally translated, "Allah is Great".

Pardon me, but I think the rencong blade is of low-quality manufacture and a tourist piece.

Here's another rencong blade for comparison:
http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php

3rd July 2006, 06:57 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Text on rencong I found this rencong this weekend. I don't think it's very old, but I found an arabic (?) text on the blade. Could anyone translate ? This rencong has a copper (?) blade. The handle and sheath are made from horn. My guess is that it's a tourist piece. Anyone has another suggestion ?

4th July 2006, 04:41 AM	#4
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	The Quranic text is "Bismilahir rahmanir Rahiim", which means, In the name of Allah , the Beneficent , the Merciful. It looks touristy piece to me. What do you think of these? http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php Last edited by Alam Shah; 4th July 2006 at 04:46 AM. Reason: added links...

6th July 2006, 06:34 AM	#6
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	TVV, The Arabic text on your rencong, looks like "Allahu Akbar" literally translated, "Allah is Great". Pardon me, but I think the rencong blade is of low-quality manufacture and a tourist piece. Here's another rencong blade for comparison: http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php Last edited by Alam Shah; 6th July 2006 at 06:36 AM. Reason: add link...

4th July 2006, 02:08 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	I don't know about tourist piece. Certainly it is recent. The blade looks like steel or white metal in most of the pictures, but brass in the closeup. The inscription I think is a bismallah (name of God) or at least a petition to God, the first word (going right to left) is "Allah".

4th July 2006, 02:22 AM	#3
Pangeran Datu Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 79	Hi, I believe it to be a 'tourist' piece. Brass and horn pieces proliferated South-east Asia post late-sixties. The materials are easier to come by, cheaper and easier to work with,...i.e. more cost effective, more tourist dollars in much shorter time. Sometimes, two would be mounted on a board/shield. Similarly with kerises, kujangs etc. Regards.

6th July 2006, 04:51 AM	#5
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,624	While the topic is arabic text on touristy rencongs, I also have one I recently acquired. The same inscription has been inlyaed with brass on both sides of the blade. There is also some decorative inlay that looks light it went quite wrong. On the other hand the pommel cap is ivory, although the scabbard mouth is bone. Therefore I am guessing that while even if the rencong is not intended for tourists, it is of recent manufacture. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. I appologize in advance if the inscription is turned upside down. Thanks, Teodor