Is this a Piso Podang?

CharlesS · 4th July 2015, 11:55 AM

Very interesting combination here. The blade, scabbard, and guard do certainly look like those of a piso podang. Only the hilt's grip and pommel are not a "correct fit". These carved horn pommels are found throughout the Indonesian archipelago, but this particular type is often associated with Sumatra.

My thinking here is that it is simply a custom made job, based on the owner's likes. The fact that the hilt fits so perfectly together and this all seems "born together" makes me think this is not a later put together hilt.

There is always the possibility that the upper portion of the original piso podang style hilt was damaged at some point and repaired and replaced by a very capable craftsman in this manner. We will likely never know.

Interesting, nice and complete variation!!

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4th July 2015, 11:55 AM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Very interesting combination here. The blade, scabbard, and guard do certainly look like those of a piso podang. Only the hilt's grip and pommel are not a "correct fit". These carved horn pommels are found throughout the Indonesian archipelago, but this particular type is often associated with Sumatra. My thinking here is that it is simply a custom made job, based on the owner's likes. The fact that the hilt fits so perfectly together and this all seems "born together" makes me think this is not a later put together hilt. There is always the possibility that the upper portion of the original piso podang style hilt was damaged at some point and repaired and replaced by a very capable craftsman in this manner. We will likely never know. Interesting, nice and complete variation!!