Help identify Klewang

Gustav · 10th May 2017, 11:48 PM

Now there is another a little bit mysterious Bali-Sulawesi specimen, with similar handle -

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?p=187966

Blade looks Balinese, sheath - Sulawesi. Handle isn't really faceted, but close.

Now has somebody a "Matana knife" in he's collection?

.................................................. .............

What leads me to think the handle (of our "Mardhik") isn't original is the way blade is mounted to it - at the very upper part; the handle looks to big.

Or has somebody seen such handles on Bali? That would make things easier.

A. G. Maisey · 11th May 2017, 01:48 AM

Actually Gustav, to me, the entire thing looks Javanese, the hilt, the hand work, the pamor and especially the kembang kacang --- something I've only ever seen on things other than keris in a Javanese context.

I only know of the mardhik as a tool now, but it is obvious that it had a weapon function in old Bali.

If I had to make a guess on geographic point of origin, I'd probably give it as "possibly East Jawa". It would be a guess.

I tend to agree that the hilt is an addition, I doubt very much that it is original to this blade.

10th May 2017, 11:48 PM	#1
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,295	Now there is another a little bit mysterious Bali-Sulawesi specimen, with similar handle - http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?p=187966 Blade looks Balinese, sheath - Sulawesi. Handle isn't really faceted, but close. Now has somebody a "Matana knife" in he's collection? .................................................. ............. What leads me to think the handle (of our "Mardhik") isn't original is the way blade is mounted to it - at the very upper part; the handle looks to big. Or has somebody seen such handles on Bali? That would make things easier. Attached Images

11th May 2017, 01:48 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,059	Actually Gustav, to me, the entire thing looks Javanese, the hilt, the hand work, the pamor and especially the kembang kacang --- something I've only ever seen on things other than keris in a Javanese context. I only know of the mardhik as a tool now, but it is obvious that it had a weapon function in old Bali. If I had to make a guess on geographic point of origin, I'd probably give it as "possibly East Jawa". It would be a guess. I tend to agree that the hilt is an addition, I doubt very much that it is original to this blade.