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5th September 2009, 12:44 AM
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#1 |
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 2,237
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NORTH ? NIAS BALATO
I assume I bought a North Nias Balato.
Simple but stylisch imho. Anybody who can explain the small ball on top of the hilt ? |
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5th September 2009, 06:49 PM
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#2 |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,255
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Congrats, Willem - seems to be a fairly old sword!
The scabbard has a bit rougher finish. Any hints that it may be a bit younger or of the same age as the sword? To me, the "ball" seems to be the head of a stylized bekhu (a demon). This would place the origin of this piece as South Nias, wouldn't it? Regards, Kai |
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7th September 2009, 12:00 AM
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#3 |
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 2,237
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Hello Kai,
The sacabbard is of a different kind of wood, different grain I think. Seems original to the blade. I always am tempted to think a piece is north Nias when it is simple in its decorations. But indeed, it might be a very stilized Bekhu. I found this one on the Tropenmuseum site for comparrison. But I could not find one with a simplefied Bekhu like mine. (assuming it is a bekhu) |
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7th September 2009, 12:56 AM
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#4 |
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 9,409
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Hi Willem,
a honest Balato, nice find. When you see the both swords side by side I think Kai is correct, it seems to be a stylized Bekhu. Regards, Detlef |
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7th September 2009, 06:28 AM
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#5 |
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 2,237
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Hello Detlef,
Yes, menawhile I see it too  In mine there is a ridge as a stilized body of the bekhu, ending in a ball, being the head. Not as eloborate as many other south Nias pieces, but still not a bad find in these days of temporary balato's being sold as antiques on many websites and Epray.  Best regards, Willem |
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