Another Cross-Cultural Islamic Blade: An Indonesian Parang with a Persian Blade

CharlesS · 30th June 2015, 10:24 PM

Here is a good Indonesian parang mounted with a Persian blade of wootz steel, and adding to my interest in blades passed through different cultures in the Islamic world.

The parang is of a typical Indonesian size, small, short, and for slashing or stabbing. It has clearly been cut down from a larger blade, in this case a 18th/19th century blade of medium contrast wootz steel and featuring a cartouche at the forte: "Oh Judge of Needs".

The hilt is nicely carved horn and is pierced at the pommel. The scabbard looks to have been covered in leather later, but the mounts are no doubt original and are brass. They may have originally been gilded. A previous owner had polished them roughly, perhaps losing the gilding in the process.

An attractive little sword and "right down my alley" of interest.

Details:

Overall length: 24in.
Blade length: 17.75in.
Blade width at the widest point: 1.25in.

30th June 2015, 10:24 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Another Cross-Cultural Islamic Blade: An Indonesian Parang with a Persian Blade Here is a good Indonesian parang mounted with a Persian blade of wootz steel, and adding to my interest in blades passed through different cultures in the Islamic world. The parang is of a typical Indonesian size, small, short, and for slashing or stabbing. It has clearly been cut down from a larger blade, in this case a 18th/19th century blade of medium contrast wootz steel and featuring a cartouche at the forte: "Oh Judge of Needs". The hilt is nicely carved horn and is pierced at the pommel. The scabbard looks to have been covered in leather later, but the mounts are no doubt original and are brass. They may have originally been gilded. A previous owner had polished them roughly, perhaps losing the gilding in the process. An attractive little sword and "right down my alley" of interest. Details: Overall length: 24in. Blade length: 17.75in. Blade width at the widest point: 1.25in. Attached Images