Crowns on Aceh weapons revisited

[Battara]

What an interesting variation. And gold and enameled all around the strap. I also noticed the coral is polished as well.

Thanks for posting this.

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by Battara

What an interesting variation. And gold and enameled all around the strap. I also noticed the coral is polished as well.

Thanks for posting this.

Yes, it looks indeed like akar bahar in a very smooth finish.
Here a enlargement of the previous picture.

Best regards,
Willem

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by Battara

What an interesting variation. And gold and enameled all around the strap. I also noticed the coral is polished as well.

Thanks for posting this.

I would rather have had it in my hands to determine the material
But it indeed looks like polished akar bahar.
Here is an enlargement of the previou picture :

[Battara]

Looks like akar bahar to me......

[kai]

I'm with Jose on the pommel being from polished AB.

Thanks for another great example, Willem!

The "heart" looks like another variant of the tree of life motif.

Regards,
Kai

[asomotif]

Happily gathering pictures I remembered this variation.
I am not sure where it was taken, the website says "Tropenmuseum" (Amsterdam)

[Battara]

I photo edited the pictures to better see them. Notice on the rounded one that there are concentric circles indicative of coral.

[Battara]

Here is a siwar that was sold by Michael Backman. He states that it belonged to a sultan. The gold mounts have gems on them and the hilt is black coral and the scabbard tip is ivory. Silver bands are go down the scabbard and the top piece is also ivory.

I also included the picture Michael Backman provided of Sultan Muhammad Daud Syah Johan Berdaulat with a similar sitar for context.