Peudeueng pasangan with hulu meu apet

[Marcus]

A google image search puts this type of sword in the in the hands of Keumalahayati (1585-1604), an admiral in the navy of the Aceh Sultanate, considered the first woman admiral in the modern world.

Anyone know how old these paintings are or where the originals are located?

[ariel]

Iconography may be helpful and often decisive for dating and attribution of material objects, but just as often it may be horrendously misleading.

The style of this painting is incompatible with 16 century, especially taking into account the locality.

This is at the earliest end of 19 century, more likely 20th. The artist could have used whatever sword he had in his studio.

Even Rembrandt "blinded" his Samson with a Balinese kris.

[kai]

Hello Ariel,

If I read Marcus correctly, he didn't want to imply any claims from the painting (which does seem to be post-independence, indeed).

Even Rembrandt "blinded" his Samson with a Balinese kris.

Minor quibble: The consensus is that this was probably a keris from the northern Javanese coastal towns (possibly including Banten to the West and Blumbangan to the East):
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11803


These peudeueng with hulu meu apet are typical status pieces in Aceh (less common in Gayo and Alas) and obviously an old adaptation from Indian Hindu swords. Thus, its association with Keumalahayati does seem to make sense. Since she was of royal blood, one would expect her to wear a more ornate version though (if really carrying a long sword with her at all).

Regards,
Kai