Gayo? sikin panjang with talismans in etched raised relief

[kronckew]

there is a low gold alloy called suasa used in indonesia and other parts of SE asia & the phillipines. discussed HERE on the forum. used frequently in aceh where these sikin come from. it has just enough gold in it to prevent oxidation of the copper/silver part of the alloy, especially if handled and cleaned.

apparently in islamic sections, like aceh, pure gold was too ostentatious for a devout mulslim to adorn himself and his weapons, a true muslim is humble before allah and not vain. suasa however, being low gold content, was acceptable. a belief not held universally, but allowed lower income people to afford gold jewellery and decorated items.

the sikin swords are still made, last contact i had with my supplier in indonesia, he'd found only two smiths still making them, and he'd not heard from them since the tsunami. i hope he has since. i've not heard from him recently either. rebels in the area.

my sikin was made for him by one of the smiths, i managed to talk him out of it at a price that made both of us happy. sadly no suasa or inscriptions, just a razor sharp blade.

p.s. - the dark specks on the blade are reflections of birds overhead)