A Sikin Panjang...or not???

asomotif · 4th February 2013, 07:53 PM

I came across this absolutely stunning piece and noticed that no-one ever checked the inscription.

At the risk of being impolite I would like to ask if Dom or Mohd or any of the other forumites with knowledge of these inscriptions can take a look

Best regards,
Willem

Dom · 5th February 2013, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

At the risk of being impolite I would like to ask if Dom or Mohd or any of the other forumites with knowledge of these inscriptions can take a look

Willem
when, it's nicely requested, I can't refuse ...

BUT ... it's not Arabic
it's Jawi language, using an Arabic alphabet for writing the Malay language;
- Acehnese,
- Banjarese,
- Minangkabau,
- Tausug and
- several other languages in Southeast Asia.

we may read ... only a single word "ALLAH" either "GOD" ... no more

à +

Dom

VANDOO · 5th February 2013, 01:14 AM

IF MARINE IVORY WAS USED (SPERM WHALE TOOTH) THE SIZE WOULD BE LIMITED FOR CARVING A HANDLE. THE SOLID TIP OF THE TOOTH WOULD GO TOWARD THE BLADE AND THE WIDER HOLLOW ROOT AREA OF THE TOOTH TO THE POMEL. IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE OF THE NATURAL HOLLOW FOUND IN WHALE TEETH ON THE HANDLE? AT ANY RATE I LIKE IT

OF COURSE I ALWAYS LIKE THE ATYPICAL AND UNUSUAL IN WEAPONS.

T. Koch · 5th February 2013, 06:33 AM

Vandoo, I have seen a few surprisingly large sperm whale teeth. Like really large - we're talking maybe 18-19 cm instead of the usual 12-13 and a proportionate increase in mass and girth to go with. They were shown to me by the Mammal Dept. curator at the Zoological Museum of Copenhagen, which holds a really large collection of cetacean material. At the time these teeth totally blew open my frame of reference for the size of these guys. The largest tooth was very old and had a rather worn down tip, so must have been even larger when alive. That whale would have had to be a leviathan for sure.

I totally agree with you that it's a possibility here and your proposed orientation is spot on - sperm whale teeth have a relatively shallow root canal and the ivory is really dense, so I think it would make the perfect sword hilt and this one certainly has the shape. Like you, I would also love to see a pommel-end shot - perhaps the canal is still evident.

Willem, this is an awesome find from the archives!! Never have seen a sikin like it before - I hope that Charles is still enjoying it!

Cordially, - Thor

kronckew · 5th February 2013, 08:29 AM

beautiful sword. much pointier than normal.

4th February 2013, 07:53 PM	#1
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,228	BUMP / Jawi translation requested I came across this absolutely stunning piece and noticed that no-one ever checked the inscription. At the risk of being impolite I would like to ask if Dom or Mohd or any of the other forumites with knowledge of these inscriptions can take a look Best regards, Willem

5th February 2013, 01:14 AM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IF MARINE IVORY WAS USED (SPERM WHALE TOOTH) THE SIZE WOULD BE LIMITED FOR CARVING A HANDLE. THE SOLID TIP OF THE TOOTH WOULD GO TOWARD THE BLADE AND THE WIDER HOLLOW ROOT AREA OF THE TOOTH TO THE POMEL. IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE OF THE NATURAL HOLLOW FOUND IN WHALE TEETH ON THE HANDLE? AT ANY RATE I LIKE IT OF COURSE I ALWAYS LIKE THE ATYPICAL AND UNUSUAL IN WEAPONS.

5th February 2013, 06:33 AM	#4
T. Koch Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Mother North Posts: 189	Vandoo, I have seen a few surprisingly large sperm whale teeth. Like really large - we're talking maybe 18-19 cm instead of the usual 12-13 and a proportionate increase in mass and girth to go with. They were shown to me by the Mammal Dept. curator at the Zoological Museum of Copenhagen, which holds a really large collection of cetacean material. At the time these teeth totally blew open my frame of reference for the size of these guys. The largest tooth was very old and had a rather worn down tip, so must have been even larger when alive. That whale would have had to be a leviathan for sure. I totally agree with you that it's a possibility here and your proposed orientation is spot on - sperm whale teeth have a relatively shallow root canal and the ivory is really dense, so I think it would make the perfect sword hilt and this one certainly has the shape. Like you, I would also love to see a pommel-end shot - perhaps the canal is still evident. Willem, this is an awesome find from the archives!! Never have seen a sikin like it before - I hope that Charles is still enjoying it! Cordially, - Thor

5th February 2013, 08:29 AM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	beautiful sword. much pointier than normal.