Mandau for review

[kai]

Hello Willem,

"refurbished" is what comes to mind.
<snip>
All together a very nice mandau. restored and completed in situ.

D'accord.

I gues that various parts where combined. oldest first imho

Blade looks very old / pre 1900 possibly

The blade certainly is unusual which makes evaluation difficult. I get the impression that it is heavily worn and, thus, of decent age: The engraved decor is unusual - the somewhat rough craftsmanship may point to a local production. The decor at the tip is heavily worn which supports considerable age rather than late production IMHO.

Coins are dated, but are set in very recent resin.
Carrying strap looks well made and old.

I posit that the belt/strap might even predate 1920/1910.

scabbard carving style and quality looks old.

The varnish does result in an odd glossy look and appearance of more recent origin.

Handle is well carved, maybe it is old, but maybe of later date, might be upto late 20th century and made by a carver who still had the skills.

Can the carving style be attributed to any specific region?

handle wrapping is recent. same as the resin.

Yup.

side knife, blade looks old, but the carving on top of the handle much more recent in style , again imho.

snake skin side scabbard. very recent and unusual material.

Also the red fabric, of course.

Regards,
Kai

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by kai

Also the red fabric, of course.

Regards,
Kai

I like the red fabric.
Really makes me think it was refurbisched for local use.

[centurion]

Originally Posted by kai

Can the carving style be attributed to any specific region?

This should be Ngaju Kayan. Similar hilt is mentioned in the Quer Durch Borneo book as from Mahakam area, Long-Glat, located on Kayan river, photo enclosed.

The book is available on Gutenberg project in html and is easily translatable while you read, and Duch-English translation works just fine by google translate. However, the book covers the period up to 1900, and unfortunately, I have not seen a book that would cover the period between the 1900s and WW2.

Here are the links for the book html:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17383...-h/17383-h.htm
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17379...-h/17379-h.htm

Python skin should be a recent addition, as I saw details like these on new mandaus.