ODD DAYAK PARMOR BLADE

[CharlesS]

The pics of the blade make it a little hard to comment on, but the fact that the hilt is carved wood rather than antler, and in great detail to boot, would indicate and older Mandau rather than a newer one wouldn't it???

[Battara]

I guess I was looking at the style of carving for my age thoughts - certainly not the same as what I know to be old examples.

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

The pics of the blade make it a little hard to comment on, but the fact that the hilt is carved wood rather than antler, and in great detail to boot, would indicate and older Mandau rather than a newer one wouldn't it???

Yes, the images of the blade are very bad, and therefore it's almost impossible to comment properly.
But the greenish colour around the brass dot I've seen several times on mandaus bought in Java. There they washed / etched the blade.
The brass will turn green because of that treatment! (Which I've seen on the image).

Recent mandaus can be carved from wood or antler. And I've seen some very attractive carvings on new handles. But it's the motifs and style that counts, and if there the patina.

Regards, Maurice

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Maurice

Yes, the images of the blade are very bad, and therefore it's almost impossible to comment properly.
But the greenish colour around the brass dot I've seen several times on mandaus bought in Java. There they washed / etched the blade.
The brass will turn green because of that treatment! (Which I've seen on the image).

Recent mandaus can be carved from wood or antler. And I've seen some very attractive carvings on new handles. But it's the motifs and style that counts, and if there the patina.

Regards, Maurice

Hello Maurice,

good guess! I have seen this as well and the greenish colour of the dots seem to cofirm your guess.

I think the carving of the handle and special the one from the belt clip at the scabbard are from good old quality.

Do you have already a guess from which area this mandau could coming?

Regards,

Detlef

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by Sajen

I think the carving of the handle and special the one from the belt clip at the scabbard are from good old quality.

Do you have already a guess from which area this mandau could coming?

Regards,

Detlef

No, I'm not sure on this. I think this is a tricky one to determine the area.
If I would guess, I would say in or around the Ngadju area, or upper Barito area.
Anybody else an idea?

Regards,
Maurice