Another Fascinating Piso Podang

CharlesS · 2nd November 2015, 06:19 PM

Again, as many of you know, I am fascinated by pieces that exhibit the clearly phenomenal expanse of trade done in the Islamic world pre-20th century, and this piece is another nice example!

Here is an old piso podang, likely 19th century with a very rare and fine hippo ivory hilt and a better than typical Persian trade blade of good contrast Persian wootz steel and remnants of gold koftgari to the spine.

It is very unusual among Indonesian and Malay imported blades of this type that the blade would not be cut down to a more comfortable size for that area of the world, but in this case the blade has not been cut down, or apparently altered at all.

The scabbard is simple, two very thin slabs of wood, and apparently was once held together by 1/2in. wide bands of some sort, all of which are now missing.

Once I have had a chance to properly clean and etch the blade, with perhaps, a new scabbard more worthy of it, I will post the results.

Interesting piece, and "right down my alley" in collecting interests.

Dimensions:
Overall length: 38in.
Blade length: 33in.
Blade width at the widest point: 1.25in.

Sajen · 2nd November 2015, 07:48 PM

Fascinating sword!

Congrats!

Battara · 2nd November 2015, 08:38 PM

Agreed!

Robert · 2nd November 2015, 09:16 PM

Hello Charles, what an interesting as well as beautiful sword. Do you think that the wooden scabbard could possibly be the core of the original scabbard with the original cover long missing and then having been replaced by bands at a later point in time? Either way congratulations on acquiring this very unusual sword.

Best,
Robert

CharlesS · 2nd November 2015, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

Hello Charles, what an interesting as well as beautiful sword. Do you think that the wooden scabbard could possibly be the core of the original scabbard with the original cover long missing and then having been replaced by bands at a later point in time? Either way congratulations on acquiring this very unusual sword.

Best,
Robert

It is certainly a possibility Robert. The wood is, indeed, rawer than one might expect. I am going to have a more traditional scabbard made for it.

CharlesS · 20th January 2016, 06:34 PM

I wanted to revisit this piece after the blade had been polished by fellow forumite Phil Tom, who also built a Malay style scabbard for it. The wootz turned out beautifully with a nice contrast.

This is most definitely a ceremonial piece. The long blade and small hilt make the balance awful, and my impression is that any really heavy strike would break the blade out of the hilt, or break the hilt.

This is no doubt a piso podang style hilt, and mixed with a Persian "Assad Allah" type trade blade. The cross cultural mix is my greatest interest.

Sajen · 20th January 2016, 08:10 PM

Hi Charles,

again, a most fascinating sword and Philip Tom has done a very good job!

Regards,
Detlef

2nd November 2015, 06:19 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Another Fascinating Piso Podang Again, as many of you know, I am fascinated by pieces that exhibit the clearly phenomenal expanse of trade done in the Islamic world pre-20th century, and this piece is another nice example! Here is an old piso podang, likely 19th century with a very rare and fine hippo ivory hilt and a better than typical Persian trade blade of good contrast Persian wootz steel and remnants of gold koftgari to the spine. It is very unusual among Indonesian and Malay imported blades of this type that the blade would not be cut down to a more comfortable size for that area of the world, but in this case the blade has not been cut down, or apparently altered at all. The scabbard is simple, two very thin slabs of wood, and apparently was once held together by 1/2in. wide bands of some sort, all of which are now missing. Once I have had a chance to properly clean and etch the blade, with perhaps, a new scabbard more worthy of it, I will post the results. Interesting piece, and "right down my alley" in collecting interests. Dimensions: Overall length: 38in. Blade length: 33in. Blade width at the widest point: 1.25in. Attached Images

20th January 2016, 06:34 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	I wanted to revisit this piece after the blade had been polished by fellow forumite Phil Tom, who also built a Malay style scabbard for it. The wootz turned out beautifully with a nice contrast. This is most definitely a ceremonial piece. The long blade and small hilt make the balance awful, and my impression is that any really heavy strike would break the blade out of the hilt, or break the hilt. This is no doubt a piso podang style hilt, and mixed with a Persian "Assad Allah" type trade blade. The cross cultural mix is my greatest interest. Attached Images

2nd November 2015, 07:48 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	Fascinating sword! Congrats!

2nd November 2015, 08:38 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Agreed!

2nd November 2015, 09:16 PM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Charles, what an interesting as well as beautiful sword. Do you think that the wooden scabbard could possibly be the core of the original scabbard with the original cover long missing and then having been replaced by bands at a later point in time? Either way congratulations on acquiring this very unusual sword. Best, Robert

20th January 2016, 08:10 PM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	Hi Charles, again, a most fascinating sword and Philip Tom has done a very good job! Regards, Detlef