Golok or Pedang (Indonesian)

Spunjer · 26th November 2005, 04:39 PM

tho my collection consists mainly of filipino weapons, every now and then, i would see other malay blades that i think are just plain beautiful. although im not familiar with it, i'd go ahead and acquire it, and then try to learn more about it. i guess that's part of being a collector. also i reckon, reading other's posts in regards to the neighboring countries' weapons kinda stoke my interest.

here's my latest acquistion:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7715579036

i realize this link will self desruct into a blind post in a couple of months, so i will post pictures when i recieve the item.

so to our indo weapon collectors, care to make comment on this piece; i.e. age and provenance? also, what is the correct term for this piece? thanks in advance...

Rick · 26th November 2005, 05:20 PM

This is a Pedang Spunjer .
The forms are numerous .

Sumatran perhaps .

I've got one of these clad in thin low grade silver ; the blade's a little different (thick and wedge shaped) ; shorter at 17" . The tip curves down to meet the upcurving edge . My example has a much more pamor like blade with no fuller and is shaving sharp .
A slight draw and snap of the wrist and it'll pickle chip a pool noodle effortlessly .

nechesh · 26th November 2005, 05:29 PM

I agree with Rick (i'm such a suck-up

), I would say this pedang is Sumatran based on the hilt design. Nice looking sword.

Rick · 26th November 2005, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nechesh

I agree with Rick (i'm such a suck-up

Sure you are wise guy .

I added a couple of pictures so I'm bumping this thread up .
Nechesh , remember we were discussing the re-use of the old lacquer 78 rpm records ?

I wonder about the material this Garuda hilt is carved from .

RobT · 26th November 2005, 09:15 PM

Hi all,
From more than one source I have heard this type of hilt called a makara which is a mythological beast that is part elephant, bird and fish. The Indonesian guy that sold me mine said it was from Java. Whether the blade was made there or that's just where he got it I don't know.
Sincerely,
RobT

RhysMichael · 26th November 2005, 11:19 PM

I have also heard it called a makara but always had it attributed to Sumatra, though the term makara also is used with tibetan blades for a crocodile

Here is some good information on the makara
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/taman.sari/utilities/naga.htm
You can see some here
http://www.geocities.com/keris4u/oth..._perak_voc.htm

Here is the one I have. It appears to be carved from horn but I do not know what type

Rick · 26th November 2005, 11:30 PM

Dominique Buttin has an interesting page regarding the Makara on his site :
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/taman.sari/utilities/naga.htm

Here's a nifty little Sumatran knife with a vegetal (to me they look like opening flowers) form hilt and scabbard.

And a head on shot of my pedang hilt ; the bird form is easier to see from this angle .

Spunjer · 30th November 2005, 02:58 AM

here's the pedang. i hope that with the close up, i can gather some more info. i also included a shot of the blade which seems to have a nice pamor. is there a way to bring this up even more? do i etch it the same way i would etch a moro sword?

RobT · 30th November 2005, 03:19 AM

Hi all,
Am I correct in thinking that Spunjer's hilt is missing one or two silver collars? I know some of these hilts don't get them but don't those have more ornate carving around the neck of the pommel?
Sincerely,
RobT

Rick · 30th November 2005, 03:24 AM

If the scabbard and fittings are original to the sword I'd guess not (just an opinion) .

That's a very interesting feather-like pattern on the blade ; I like it !

Boedhi Adhitya · 30th November 2005, 05:06 AM

I also had believed that this pedang came from Sumatera, but since I saw this pedang brought by local dealers from Lombok island while I was on keris exhibition in Bali last year, I was 'forced' to believe that this blade came from Lombok, not Sumatera. They brought nearly a sackful of this pedang, and some of them in newly made fitting with old blades. Even some relatively new, non-madura blade exist. The local dealer's 'hunting ground' is exclusively Lombok, and since Bali and Lombok is a nearby neighbouring islands, I saw them kept bringing freshly acquaired stuff nearly everyday, and made my 'keris fever' coming again.

The Lombok origins, perhaps, may explain the 'makara' look-like handle

best regards,

Boedhi Adhitya

Spunjer · 30th November 2005, 12:15 PM

salamat, boedhi!
in your opinion, would this be an older piece, or a newer one?

btw, here are the dimension:
total length (in scabbard)= 30"
total length (sword)= 29"
blade length= 23"
handle= 6"

btw, i took the liberty to polish the silver fittings on the scabbard and hilt...

26th November 2005, 04:39 PM	#1
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Golok or Pedang (Indonesian) tho my collection consists mainly of filipino weapons, every now and then, i would see other malay blades that i think are just plain beautiful. although im not familiar with it, i'd go ahead and acquire it, and then try to learn more about it. i guess that's part of being a collector. also i reckon, reading other's posts in regards to the neighboring countries' weapons kinda stoke my interest. here's my latest acquistion: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7715579036 i realize this link will self desruct into a blind post in a couple of months, so i will post pictures when i recieve the item. so to our indo weapon collectors, care to make comment on this piece; i.e. age and provenance? also, what is the correct term for this piece? thanks in advance...

26th November 2005, 05:20 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	This is a Pedang Spunjer . The forms are numerous . Sumatran perhaps . I've got one of these clad in thin low grade silver ; the blade's a little different (thick and wedge shaped) ; shorter at 17" . The tip curves down to meet the upcurving edge . My example has a much more pamor like blade with no fuller and is shaving sharp . A slight draw and snap of the wrist and it'll pickle chip a pool noodle effortlessly . Attached Images Last edited by Rick; 26th November 2005 at 07:38 PM.

26th November 2005, 09:15 PM	#5
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 493	Makara Hi all, From more than one source I have heard this type of hilt called a makara which is a mythological beast that is part elephant, bird and fish. The Indonesian guy that sold me mine said it was from Java. Whether the blade was made there or that's just where he got it I don't know. Sincerely, RobT

26th November 2005, 11:30 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Makara Dominique Buttin has an interesting page regarding the Makara on his site : http://perso.wanadoo.fr/taman.sari/utilities/naga.htm Here's a nifty little Sumatran knife with a vegetal (to me they look like opening flowers) form hilt and scabbard. And a head on shot of my pedang hilt ; the bird form is easier to see from this angle . Attached Images

30th November 2005, 02:58 AM	#8
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	here's the pedang. i hope that with the close up, i can gather some more info. i also included a shot of the blade which seems to have a nice pamor. is there a way to bring this up even more? do i etch it the same way i would etch a moro sword? Attached Images

26th November 2005, 05:29 PM	#3
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	I agree with Rick (i'm such a suck-up ), I would say this pedang is Sumatran based on the hilt design. Nice looking sword.

26th November 2005, 11:19 PM	#6
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	I have also heard it called a makara but always had it attributed to Sumatra, though the term makara also is used with tibetan blades for a crocodile Here is some good information on the makara http://perso.wanadoo.fr/taman.sari/utilities/naga.htm You can see some here http://www.geocities.com/keris4u/oth..._perak_voc.htm Here is the one I have. It appears to be carved from horn but I do not know what type

30th November 2005, 03:19 AM	#9
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 493	silver collar? Hi all, Am I correct in thinking that Spunjer's hilt is missing one or two silver collars? I know some of these hilts don't get them but don't those have more ornate carving around the neck of the pommel? Sincerely, RobT

30th November 2005, 03:24 AM	#10
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	If the scabbard and fittings are original to the sword I'd guess not (just an opinion) . That's a very interesting feather-like pattern on the blade ; I like it !

30th November 2005, 05:06 AM	#11
Boedhi Adhitya Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 103	I also had believed that this pedang came from Sumatera, but since I saw this pedang brought by local dealers from Lombok island while I was on keris exhibition in Bali last year, I was 'forced' to believe that this blade came from Lombok, not Sumatera. They brought nearly a sackful of this pedang, and some of them in newly made fitting with old blades. Even some relatively new, non-madura blade exist. The local dealer's 'hunting ground' is exclusively Lombok, and since Bali and Lombok is a nearby neighbouring islands, I saw them kept bringing freshly acquaired stuff nearly everyday, and made my 'keris fever' coming again. The Lombok origins, perhaps, may explain the 'makara' look-like handle best regards, Boedhi Adhitya

30th November 2005, 12:15 PM	#12
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	salamat, boedhi! in your opinion, would this be an older piece, or a newer one? btw, here are the dimension: total length (in scabbard)= 30" total length (sword)= 29" blade length= 23" handle= 6" btw, i took the liberty to polish the silver fittings on the scabbard and hilt...