Stumbled upon a mandau.

imas560 · 9th January 2011, 04:54 AM

Went to my uncle and aunt’s for dinner and hanging on the wall above the piano was a mandau. He had picked it up approx 40 years ago in his travels. There is no sheath and an amethyst is missing from the handle. It also looks like a chip is missing from the handle around the remaining amethyst. I’ve taken some photos and was wondering if you all could possibly shed some light on where it might be from and possible age?. Many thanks

Battara · 9th January 2011, 06:22 AM

As far as I know, these pieces did not originally have stones in them but hair. This amethyst looks to be a later addition.

Nice piece however. Blade could use a little polish.

imas560 · 9th January 2011, 07:20 AM

thanks for the info. I was going to enquire as to recommended cleaning process for the blade as it has a few rust spots. Was thinking it might be able to go into the pineapple juice process which I am going to use for my other blades that I won recently at auction (when I get a spare chunk of time).

David · 9th January 2011, 07:26 AM

Looks like a nine one. I also agree that the amethyst does not belong in there and was added later after collection.

asomotif · 9th January 2011, 02:03 PM

[QUOTE=imas560]...Was thinking it might be able to go into the pineapple juice process...QUOTE]

Please, no pineapple juice on a mandau

. Its not a keris..
And this blade looks still very good. clean it with 00 or 0000 steelwool and a little bit of oil. I am sure that you will be satisfied with the overall appearance.

The stone is a later addition. I recommend to remove the remaining one also if possible.

As for the origin. kayan/kenyah south east Borneo

Correct me if someone has a better or more specific view on that.
Age : early 20th century (again imho)

Best regards,
Willem

Sajen · 9th January 2011, 03:07 PM

I am in agreement with Willem, don't clean the blade with a acid bath, the blade will have after this a rough surface. Of course you can polish this out but better clean the blade like Willem described. I have cleaned a rusty Mandau blade in this way and the result was very good.

Regards,

Detlef

imas560 · 9th January 2011, 08:44 PM

Thanks for the info everyone. Apologies re thought of pineapple juice, complete noob to restoration and care, that's why I thought I'd ask for advice. After the steel wool and oil any thoughts on an application of renaissance wax?.
Also any recommendations for cleaning up the handle? or just leave it alone?

Mytribalworld · 12th January 2011, 10:09 PM

[QUOTE=asomotif]

Quote:

Originally Posted by imas560

...Was thinking it might be able to go into the pineapple juice process...QUOTE]

Please, no pineapple juice on a mandau

. Its not a keris..
And this blade looks still very good. clean it with 00 or 0000 steelwool and a little bit of oil. I am sure that you will be satisfied with the overall appearance.

The stone is a later addition. I recommend to remove the remaining one also if possible.

As for the origin. kayan/kenyah south east Borneo

Correct me if someone has a better or more specific view on that.
Age : early 20th century (again imho)

Best regards,
Willem

I totally agree with the treatment, for the origin I think more to the north
not south east. The carving is however based on the model what we call generally a Modang ( Kutai area) but the way of carving and the use of some ornaments is like they use in the north.
I see some gearwheel/star like ornaments that are typical for that area.
the blade looks like Kenya with some Dusun influence.

thanks for showing ! I think its time to visit my uncle also....

Arjan

imas560 · 15th January 2011, 02:56 AM

Hello all,
some additional pictures of the handle.

9th January 2011, 04:54 AM	#1
imas560 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 180	Stumbled upon a mandau. Went to my uncle and aunt’s for dinner and hanging on the wall above the piano was a mandau. He had picked it up approx 40 years ago in his travels. There is no sheath and an amethyst is missing from the handle. It also looks like a chip is missing from the handle around the remaining amethyst. I’ve taken some photos and was wondering if you all could possibly shed some light on where it might be from and possible age?. Many thanks Attached Images

9th January 2011, 03:07 PM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	I am in agreement with Willem, don't clean the blade with a acid bath, the blade will have after this a rough surface. Of course you can polish this out but better clean the blade like Willem described. I have cleaned a rusty Mandau blade in this way and the result was very good. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

15th January 2011, 02:56 AM	#9
imas560 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 180	Hello all, some additional pictures of the handle. Attached Images

9th January 2011, 06:22 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	As far as I know, these pieces did not originally have stones in them but hair. This amethyst looks to be a later addition. Nice piece however. Blade could use a little polish.

9th January 2011, 07:20 AM	#3
imas560 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 180	thanks for the info. I was going to enquire as to recommended cleaning process for the blade as it has a few rust spots. Was thinking it might be able to go into the pineapple juice process which I am going to use for my other blades that I won recently at auction (when I get a spare chunk of time).

9th January 2011, 07:26 AM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Looks like a nine one. I also agree that the amethyst does not belong in there and was added later after collection.

9th January 2011, 02:03 PM	#5
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,228	[QUOTE=imas560]...Was thinking it might be able to go into the pineapple juice process...QUOTE] Please, no pineapple juice on a mandau . Its not a keris.. And this blade looks still very good. clean it with 00 or 0000 steelwool and a little bit of oil. I am sure that you will be satisfied with the overall appearance. The stone is a later addition. I recommend to remove the remaining one also if possible. As for the origin. kayan/kenyah south east Borneo Correct me if someone has a better or more specific view on that. Age : early 20th century (again imho) Best regards, Willem

9th January 2011, 08:44 PM	#7
imas560 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 180	Thanks for the info everyone. Apologies re thought of pineapple juice, complete noob to restoration and care, that's why I thought I'd ask for advice. After the steel wool and oil any thoughts on an application of renaissance wax?. Also any recommendations for cleaning up the handle? or just leave it alone?