keris borneo

[Henk]

Originally Posted by David

I have also seen the crudely painted sheaths with teeth ornaments described as originating in Borneo. These usually have fairly junky trade blades from Java or elsewhere. Frankly i doubt that any of these other than the actual antique sundang from the area have any true ethnographic bearing or application. I have never, for example, seen any old photographs showing someone in Borneo wearing one of these painted teeth decorated sheaths as a part of any traditional dress.

David, these keris you are refering to are described to borneo indeed. But this kind of dress was original found on Papua New Guinea. I have an original one in my collection with paint made from natural materials and sometimes an original one shows up. But the most of these things showing up on ebay are newly made for those who travel with modern paint.