Unknown Indonesian Sword - Borneo or Sulawesi?

Tatyana Dianova · 25th July 2019, 05:02 PM

A strange Indonesian sword came recently my way: it has a Sulawesi-style blade and Borneo-style fittings. Everything is old and original. I wasn't able to find anything like this in Internet and in my books. Maybe someone has some insights or comments?

kai · 25th July 2019, 05:56 PM

Another oddball, Tatyana!

How long is the blade?

Does the hilt with its metal “guards” fit well with the scabbard? Would love to hear what our Dayak specialists can tell from this hilt...

I’d guess that this piece might fit with coastal trade settlements on Borneo.

Regards,
Kai

Tatyana Dianova · 25th July 2019, 08:42 PM

Yes, the coastal Borneo sounds logical! Probably the Sulawesi blade (50 cm long) was fitted there in the local fashion. The scabbard fits perfectly the blade - it was definitely made for it. And the motifs on the scabbard in my opinion are Borneo-like, not Sulawesi.

asomotif · 26th July 2019, 12:59 AM

Hello Tatyana,

What is the ring under the hilt ?
Doe you have a piciture of the scabbard mouth from top view ?

Best regards,
Willem

Tatyana Dianova · 26th July 2019, 10:03 AM

Hello Willem,
The upper ring is some kind if brass, and the lower ring is made of patinated steel. The steel parts were rusty as I got the sword, and the wood was pretty dusty as well, but I do not like dirt and I have removed it! Please see the original auction picture.
The hilt most probably has had some hair decoration on the top, now missing.
The scabbard mouth has a small piece of wood missing on one side.

asomotif · 26th July 2019, 10:51 AM

Ok, the ring is clearly not fitting the scabbard and is damaging the scabbard mouth. I think the hilt was added.

Best regards,
Willem

Battara · 27th July 2019, 08:26 PM

I agree - to me the only thing that looks Dayak is the hilt, which looks more recent.

ausjulius · 29th July 2019, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tatyana Dianova

A strange Indonesian sword came recently my way: it has a Sulawesi-style blade and Borneo-style fittings. Everything is old and original. I wasn't able to find anything like this in Internet and in my books. Maybe someone has some insights or comments?

looks like somebody form sumbawa made their version of a mandau..
in indonesia you can find crazy things like this where somebody has reworked parts from another region to make something with local fashion.
ive seen man swords form timor and florse .. with handles put on them in java... i saw a crazy mandau made in bali but with balinese fittings and sheath. it must have been 30-40 years old.. but somebody has seen a mandau and thought theyd try their version.. so there is some of this going on..

25th July 2019, 05:02 PM	#1
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 695	Unknown Indonesian Sword - Borneo or Sulawesi? A strange Indonesian sword came recently my way: it has a Sulawesi-style blade and Borneo-style fittings. Everything is old and original. I wasn't able to find anything like this in Internet and in my books. Maybe someone has some insights or comments? Attached Images

26th July 2019, 10:03 AM	#5
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 695	Hello Willem, The upper ring is some kind if brass, and the lower ring is made of patinated steel. The steel parts were rusty as I got the sword, and the wood was pretty dusty as well, but I do not like dirt and I have removed it! Please see the original auction picture. The hilt most probably has had some hair decoration on the top, now missing. The scabbard mouth has a small piece of wood missing on one side. Attached Images

25th July 2019, 05:56 PM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Another oddball, Tatyana! How long is the blade? Does the hilt with its metal “guards” fit well with the scabbard? Would love to hear what our Dayak specialists can tell from this hilt... I’d guess that this piece might fit with coastal trade settlements on Borneo. Regards, Kai

25th July 2019, 08:42 PM	#3
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 695	Yes, the coastal Borneo sounds logical! Probably the Sulawesi blade (50 cm long) was fitted there in the local fashion. The scabbard fits perfectly the blade - it was definitely made for it. And the motifs on the scabbard in my opinion are Borneo-like, not Sulawesi.

26th July 2019, 12:59 AM	#4
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,225	Hello Tatyana, What is the ring under the hilt ? Doe you have a piciture of the scabbard mouth from top view ? Best regards, Willem

26th July 2019, 10:51 AM	#6
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,225	Ok, the ring is clearly not fitting the scabbard and is damaging the scabbard mouth. I think the hilt was added. Best regards, Willem

27th July 2019, 08:26 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	I agree - to me the only thing that looks Dayak is the hilt, which looks more recent.