A mandau with faults for sharing and comment

[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

[CharlesS]

Detlef, I bet that bamboo reinforcement at the edge can be restored. I am sure Arjan would know.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Detlef, I bet that bamboo reinforcement at the edge can be restored. I am sure Arjan would know.

Hello Charles,

First is the backside of the scabbard in very bad shape and since blade and scabbard don't belong together I am unsure what I will do with the parts!?
Make a nice display for the front panel? Would mean to destroy the rotan binding.
To restore the scabbard is a challenge in my eyes, and no fitting blade? I am more as unsure.

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

[Sajen]

What would you do with the sheath? Any suggestions?

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by Sajen

What would you do with the sheath? Any suggestions?

I would probably store it in my attic. There is till some space. you can DM me for the address

But seriously, the patina is great. I would probably remove the rattan and put the front of scabbard on display without the blade.

[Albert]

Originally Posted by Sajen

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

A photo of the complete sword.
Featured in: 'Traditionele Wapens van Borneo. De uitrusting van de koppensnellers. Deel III, Zwaarden en messen.'
['Traditional weapons of Borneo. The attire of the head-hunters. Volume III, Swords and knives.']