A mandau with faults for sharing and comment

[asomotif]

Hello Detlef,

That is an unusual carving indeed.
I have no idea.
The bottom part of the scabbard with the upward angle looks like what we see in the kutai region. Often this is combined with a rottan strip on the scabbard.

Nice piece

[CharlesS]

Very nice carving, and interesting hilt. I was wondering as well if a bamboo edge protector was missing.

[Drabant1701]

Carving is superb. Very nice piece, would collect.

[Sajen]

Thank you all for your comments!

Willem, thank you for the hint in direction Kutai.

And yes Charles, one side seems to have once a reinforcing of some sort.

The scabbard is in bad condition, only the front from ebony (?), a very hard wood is nearly undamaged. Only the now too wide upper rotan binding holds the parts together. But you can see where the from Willem mentioned further fine rotan bindings once where situated. The remaining binding at the handle is very brittle.
The blade is well used, several edge nicks are visible, the overall patination shows great use and age.

Attached are some improved pictures.

[Sajen]

Has someone seen these "arm" carvings before somewhere?

[Sajen]

And this has been the only auction picture.

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by Sajen

And this has been the only auction picture.

LOL

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Has someone seen these "arm" carvings before somewhere?

No, I have never seen anything like it.
It makes me think of celtic decorations. An interesting cross cultural link

If you compare the blade with the carved inside of the scabbard, is it a perfect fit ? Sometimes the exact outlines of the blade are followed on the inside of the scabbard.

Best regards,
Willem

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by asomotif

No, I have never seen anything like it.
It makes me think of celtic decorations. An interesting cross cultural link

I am also not, this was the main reason why I posted it.

Originally Posted by asomotif

If you compare the blade with the carved inside of the scabbard, is it a perfect fit ? Sometimes the exact outlines of the blade are followed on the inside of the scabbard.

How stupid I am sometimes! I don't compared it until now and it's not a match, so I think that the scabbard don't belong to the blade.

Best regards,
Detlef

[Albert]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Has someone seen these "arm" carvings before somewhere?

On the scabbard of a penopah andai a human figure is depicted with a similar arm and hand with four fingers.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Albert

On the scabbard of a penopah andai a human figure is depicted with a similar arm and hand with four fingers.

Hello Albert,

What you call penopah andai, is it a sword like in the picture? I ask since our member Amuk, from whom I borrowed the picture, calls it in this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=borneo as isaw.
When you look close you will see that the thumb rests in the palm by the carving from the piece in question.

Regards,
Detlef