A Piso Podang With An Unusual Blade

CharlesS · 29th August 2009, 04:31 PM

This is a 19th Century piso podang sword with a very interesting blade that almost seems to be a marriage of a dha blade shape and mandau style fullering. The fullers are very crisp. There is stylized floral motif cartouche towards the forte embraced by the tapering fullers. The motif almost reminds me of paisley.

I've never seen one remotely similar, blade-wise, and would love to see other examples of this style if forum members would be willing to share pics.

VVV · 29th August 2009, 05:11 PM

Interesting mix of styles (as usual when you show swords).
Based on the hilt I think this isn´t a Batak PP but a NW Borneo Pedang.
The "paisley-motif" on the blade also look like the NW Borneo coast.

Michael

CharlesS · 29th August 2009, 07:40 PM

Thanks Michael....good to hear from you!

I was thinking Borneo too...but because of the blade, especially the fullering.

Maybe you could do a post on comparative hilt styles and origins??

Maurice · 29th August 2009, 11:03 PM

What a beautiful sword!
I just received this link from a friend of mine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyMNw...eature=related
FREEZE it at 30 seconds.

Maurice

CharlesS · 30th August 2009, 12:38 PM

Thanks Maurice!

That is a very interesting video.....I only wish that piso podang would have found its way out of the scabbard!!!

Thanks for sharing that.

Sajen · 30th August 2009, 01:42 PM

Very nice and outstanding sword!

Royston · 9th October 2010, 12:28 PM

More photos pulled off the net.

Oops - Just realised one is already posted.

Roy

Maurice · 10th October 2010, 08:23 AM

About the images that Roy posted:
Notice the great decoration piece on the dancing dajak on his mandau belt.
Great piece of anggang gading (hornbill ivory) and beads....

Thank you for this image Roy!

ronpakis · 11th October 2010, 09:25 PM

who is carrying some skulls also carries this type of sword. im sorry the picture is damaged so i couldnt upload it.

Royston · 12th October 2010, 12:21 PM

This one ?

Roy

ronpakis · 12th October 2010, 07:49 PM

yes, thats it, thanks!

ronpakis · 12th October 2010, 08:03 PM

this is a real picture postcard. the two guys o the outsides are carrying the same type of swords. they are from the palembang region. am i making it a litlle bit more complex??

greets ron

29th August 2009, 04:31 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	A Piso Podang With An Unusual Blade This is a 19th Century piso podang sword with a very interesting blade that almost seems to be a marriage of a dha blade shape and mandau style fullering. The fullers are very crisp. There is stylized floral motif cartouche towards the forte embraced by the tapering fullers. The motif almost reminds me of paisley. I've never seen one remotely similar, blade-wise, and would love to see other examples of this style if forum members would be willing to share pics. Attached Images

9th October 2010, 12:28 PM	#7
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	More PP photos More photos pulled off the net. Oops - Just realised one is already posted. Roy Attached Images

11th October 2010, 09:25 PM	#9
ronpakis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: netherlands Posts: 75	the guy in the coppens book who is carrying some skulls also carries this type of sword. im sorry the picture is damaged so i couldnt upload it.

12th October 2010, 12:21 PM	#10
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	This one ? Roy Attached Images

12th October 2010, 07:49 PM	#11
ronpakis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: netherlands Posts: 75	correct yes, thats it, thanks!

29th August 2009, 05:11 PM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Interesting mix of styles (as usual when you show swords). Based on the hilt I think this isn´t a Batak PP but a NW Borneo Pedang. The "paisley-motif" on the blade also look like the NW Borneo coast. Michael

29th August 2009, 07:40 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Thanks Michael....good to hear from you! I was thinking Borneo too...but because of the blade, especially the fullering. Maybe you could do a post on comparative hilt styles and origins??

29th August 2009, 11:03 PM	#4
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,453	What a beautiful sword! I just received this link from a friend of mine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyMNw...eature=related FREEZE it at 30 seconds. Maurice

30th August 2009, 12:38 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Thanks Maurice! That is a very interesting video.....I only wish that piso podang would have found its way out of the scabbard!!! Thanks for sharing that.

30th August 2009, 01:42 PM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Very nice and outstanding sword!

10th October 2010, 08:23 AM	#8
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,453	About the images that Roy posted: Notice the great decoration piece on the dancing dajak on his mandau belt. Great piece of anggang gading (hornbill ivory) and beads.... Thank you for this image Roy!

12th October 2010, 08:03 PM	#12
ronpakis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: netherlands Posts: 75	batak, borneo or perhaps palembang?? this is a real picture postcard. the two guys o the outsides are carrying the same type of swords. they are from the palembang region. am i making it a litlle bit more complex?? greets ron Attached Images