Correctly Identifying a Borneo Sword

[VVV]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Thanks Michael! What features of the pierced hilt suggest that it is later than the blade?? It has a very nice patina.

Regarding the date, are you suggesting the type/style could be earlier, just unknown to him until then??

I just have the impression, based on the motifs and how deep they are carved, that this style of hilt is later.
It is always hard to judge age from pictures so I go more on the choice of motifs and the workmanship.
But if it has more patina than what it looks like on your pictures I might be wrong in this case.

On the date, I am a bit skeptic on Shelford stating a certain year without mentioning what he bases his statement on.
So if 1902 was the first year that Shelford saw them they might be a bit older.
But not as old as the parang niabur and even the langgai tinggang, of course.


Michael