Origine of Short Parang (Bornéo? Sumatra? or...?)

Athanase · 17th April 2017, 06:53 PM

Hello

I took a risk buying this short Parang because I had never seen this before and I can't identify it. The antique dealer who sold it bought it in the early 1980s from Sumatra (according to his memory) but he went to all the great Indonesian islands.
For me it looks very much like the short utility parangs that are currently made in Borneo. But they don't have this decoration and especially not this big wooden hook (like that of a Wedung).
I have seen on the internet forms of near (and old) blades in southern Sumatra (Lampung, Benkulu) with also a wooden hook to fix the scabbard to the belt, but the hook was much shorter.
The blade, made of laminated steel, and the scabbard looks old but I can't estimate the age. (Middle of the 20th century or older?).

If someone has an idea for the name and origin of this parang I would be very grateful.

Battara · 17th April 2017, 08:13 PM

Well the scabbard clip looks more Javanese to me.........

Athanase · 17th April 2017, 08:27 PM

I thought the same thing, but the geometric decoration made me doubt. I had never seen this style in Javanese scabbard decoration.

Sajen · 18th April 2017, 01:42 AM

Hello Athanase,

can you post some close-ups?

Athanase · 18th April 2017, 10:40 PM

Some details of the scabbard :

Sajen · 19th April 2017, 12:18 AM

Hello Athanase,

good pictures!

My feeling tells me that this could be Batak work but this is my feeling only and I am not sure. Curious if others have an opinion about this piece. Would place it as an early 20th century piece judging by patina and workmanship. Nice knife!

Regards,
Detlef

17th April 2017, 06:53 PM	#1
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 408	Origine of Short Parang (Bornéo? Sumatra? or...?) Hello I took a risk buying this short Parang because I had never seen this before and I can't identify it. The antique dealer who sold it bought it in the early 1980s from Sumatra (according to his memory) but he went to all the great Indonesian islands. For me it looks very much like the short utility parangs that are currently made in Borneo. But they don't have this decoration and especially not this big wooden hook (like that of a Wedung). I have seen on the internet forms of near (and old) blades in southern Sumatra (Lampung, Benkulu) with also a wooden hook to fix the scabbard to the belt, but the hook was much shorter. The blade, made of laminated steel, and the scabbard looks old but I can't estimate the age. (Middle of the 20th century or older?). If someone has an idea for the name and origin of this parang I would be very grateful. Attached Images

18th April 2017, 10:40 PM	#5
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 408	Some details of the scabbard : Attached Images

17th April 2017, 08:13 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	Well the scabbard clip looks more Javanese to me.........

17th April 2017, 08:27 PM	#3
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 408	I thought the same thing, but the geometric decoration made me doubt. I had never seen this style in Javanese scabbard decoration.

18th April 2017, 01:42 AM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Hello Athanase, can you post some close-ups?

19th April 2017, 12:18 AM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Hello Athanase, good pictures! My feeling tells me that this could be Batak work but this is my feeling only and I am not sure. Curious if others have an opinion about this piece. Would place it as an early 20th century piece judging by patina and workmanship. Nice knife! Regards, Detlef