A Very Interesting and Artistic Piso Podang

CharlesS · 26th December 2012, 07:18 PM

Here is a rather unique Piso Podang, likely from Sumatra. It is a rather small sword at just 29.5in. overall, with a 24in. blade that is of very thin and flexible pamor steel, and is only 1 inch wide at its widest. The blade's pattern can be seen as it has been gently rubbed and the patina now shadows the pattern.

The most impressive aspect of the sword is its lovely hilt of finely worked silver(not white metal, or 'German silver') in great detail which is rather unusual for a piso podang. The pommel bulb is empty with no central stem as often seen on brass hilts.

One has to think this is certainly a status piece as it has very little combat value.

The scabbard is new.

Thoughts and comments are welcomed.

VVV · 26th December 2012, 10:21 PM

A very unusual and nice find!
Both the hilt AND that the blade has pamor is very unusual.
However, I don't think it is a piso podang but a chenangkas, because the blade is straight.
Could it be Javanese (which I haven't seen before)?

Michael

Battara · 26th December 2012, 10:36 PM

Love the chasing and casting work on that silver hilt.

CharlesS · 27th December 2012, 01:47 AM

Yes VVV, you are right, more correctly this should be called a chenangkas. I was simply using the hilt form to categorize it. Javanese???....when we are talking about such an oddball...who knows??!! It is certainly possible.

26th December 2012, 07:18 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	A Very Interesting and Artistic Piso Podang Here is a rather unique *Piso Podang, likely from Sumatra. It is a rather small sword at just 29.5in. overall, with a 24in. blade that is of very* thin and flexible pamor steel, and is only 1 inch wide at its widest. The blade's pattern can be seen as it has been gently rubbed and the patina now shadows the pattern. The most impressive aspect of the sword is its lovely hilt of finely worked silver(not white metal, or 'German silver') in great detail which is rather unusual for a piso podang. The pommel bulb is empty with no central stem as often seen on brass hilts. One has to think this is certainly a status piece as it has very little combat value. The scabbard is new. Thoughts and comments are welcomed. Attached Images

26th December 2012, 10:21 PM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	A very unusual and nice find! Both the hilt AND that the blade has pamor is very unusual. However, I don't think it is a piso podang but a chenangkas, because the blade is straight. Could it be Javanese (which I haven't seen before)? Michael

26th December 2012, 10:36 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	Love the chasing and casting work on that silver hilt.

27th December 2012, 01:47 AM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Yes VVV, you are right, more correctly this should be called a chenangkas. I was simply using the hilt form to categorize it. Javanese???....when we are talking about such an oddball...who knows??!! It is certainly possible.