Tanimbar, Visayan or ???

VVV · 3rd August 2005, 11:34 AM

Hi all,

I just received this quite heavy sword today.
Unfortunately it didn't come with a scabbard
The seller wasn't sure about the origin and guessed Visayan.
When having a look in van Z p.136 I think it resembles a variation of pict 569 (blade) and 570 (hilt).
Any comments?

Thanks,

Michael

Bill · 3rd August 2005, 11:53 AM

The sword doesn't really strike me as being from the Philippines, if anything, the blade form would be closer to something from Luzon. I think your on the right track with Tanimbar. The hilt does show influence from either Sumatra or Sulawesi, but not the same craftsmanship. The ferrule is simular to Zonneveld's examples; & his "Swords of Tanimbar" description does seem to fit. Nice find.

VVV · 8th August 2005, 03:26 PM

Thanks Bill,

Anybody else who has experience of Tanimbar swords?

Michael

3rd August 2005, 11:34 AM	#1
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Tanimbar, Visayan or ??? Hi all, I just received this quite heavy sword today. Unfortunately it didn't come with a scabbard The seller wasn't sure about the origin and guessed Visayan. When having a look in van Z p.136 I think it resembles a variation of pict 569 (blade) and 570 (hilt). Any comments? Thanks, Michael Attached Images

3rd August 2005, 11:53 AM	#2
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	The sword doesn't really strike me as being from the Philippines, if anything, the blade form would be closer to something from Luzon. I think your on the right track with Tanimbar. The hilt does show influence from either Sumatra or Sulawesi, but not the same craftsmanship. The ferrule is simular to Zonneveld's examples; & his "Swords of Tanimbar" description does seem to fit. Nice find.

8th August 2005, 03:26 PM	#3
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks Bill, Anybody else who has experience of Tanimbar swords? Michael