A Few Interesting Indonesian Blades

Battara · 27th December 2020, 01:49 AM

Merry Ho Ho!

Nice toys under that tree!

On the parapat I wonder if there was hair originally on the ends, like in some Kutai hilts.

Maurice · 27th December 2020, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

On the parapat I wonder if there was hair originally on the ends, like in some Kutai hilts.

Hi Jose,

At the ends of the forked hilt, they didn't attach hair. They worn the sword like showed on the photo. 'naked'.

Maurice · 27th December 2020, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maurice

They worn the sword like showed on the photo. 'naked'.

A 'naked' hilt, not a 'naked' Murut ofcourse.....

kai · 27th December 2020, 12:14 PM

Glad you clarified that one, Maurice...

Jose, Kutai & Modang are quite different cultures. You'll note that the tip of the branch is carved conically to help in attaching (and arranging) the short hair decorating these tips (a bit like a brush). This won't work with the carving of most parapat/perepet prongs.

Since the prongs are pointing upwards, long hair would be quite awkward. There is a single example with long hair in our archives (in an example with missing prongs); I'd tend to believe that this was the result of an ill-informed restoration attempt though.

Regards,
Kai

27th December 2020, 12:14 PM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Glad you clarified that one, Maurice... Jose, Kutai & Modang are quite different cultures. You'll note that the tip of the branch is carved conically to help in attaching (and arranging) the short hair decorating these tips (a bit like a brush). This won't work with the carving of most parapat/perepet prongs. Since the prongs are pointing upwards, long hair would be quite awkward. There is a single example with long hair in our archives (in an example with missing prongs); I'd tend to believe that this was the result of an ill-informed restoration attempt though. Regards, Kai Attached Images

27th December 2020, 01:49 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Merry Ho Ho! Nice toys under that tree! On the parapat I wonder if there was hair originally on the ends, like in some Kutai hilts.