Indonesian Tombak question

Devadatta · 9th October 2009, 07:25 PM

Dear Community,

As some forum members whatch e-bay regularly as I understood, some of you shall have seen this spear tip.

Actually I was planning to buy it, but someone did it before me. So I posted the photos on local arms forum just to share with forum members. But it caused some discussion: few people are sure that this piece is brand new.

So what do you think about this one? Thanks everyone in advance!

D.

Devadatta · 9th October 2009, 07:26 PM

Sajen · 9th October 2009, 07:28 PM

I also think that it is recent!

sajen

Devadatta · 9th October 2009, 07:34 PM

OK, no more questions, thanks

asomotif · 10th October 2009, 12:11 AM

Pfew

The scabbard is really nice and very detailled.
I wonder if they would put this much effort in a new piece nowadays.
The blad seems a little bit rought to me. And the pamor near the tip is not very precise / symetric.

I can imagine that someone took an old tombak gave it a good washing and then had it decorated with the butterfly and flowers.
There is definately something fishy about this tombak
The decoration is not old imho. but the rest i don't know.

But I think there must be forumites that do know. any comments

Battara · 10th October 2009, 12:55 AM

The lack of wear and the quality of the workmanship in the brass inlay suggest to me that this is of recent manufacture as well.

Boedhi Adhitya · 10th October 2009, 05:19 AM

A good and complete tombak blade should have methuk, a cylindrical base that hold the blade so it will not get into the shaft's hole and break the shaft upon impact. It might be made separatly or not, like ganja in keris. The place where the blade meets methuk should fit the methuk well, that is, cylindrical in shape.

No methuk and it is slightly square on Devadatta blade.

I think it is a reshaped old pieces, might be cut from a sword or other tombak, who knows ?

Of course, my comment based on assumption that the blade really comes from Indonesia/Java.

David · 10th October 2009, 05:43 AM

If not new then it is seriously reworked from an older blade. The kinatah is certainly new and as has been pointed out, there is very little edge wear so if it isn't new it has been reshaped. If i had to vote though i would say new.
Willem, take a look at the incredible details of the contempory work being done in Bali on Alan's thread on the keris form of the Neka Museum in Ubud. Craftmanship is far from dead in Indonesia.

asomotif · 10th October 2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

take a look at the incredible details of the contempory work being done in Bali on Alan's thread on the keris form of the Neka Museum in Ubud.

I have seen the thread by Alan. Not all my style, but really superb craftmanship.
So, you are right, this quality carving can indeed be new.
But what a pity that they than don't combine it with a new quality forged blade. Than it would be a contemporary piece of outstanding quality.

A. G. Maisey · 10th October 2009, 02:31 PM

Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.

9th October 2009, 07:25 PM	#1
Devadatta Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 118	Indonesian Tombak question Dear Community, As some forum members whatch e-bay regularly as I understood, some of you shall have seen this spear tip. Actually I was planning to buy it, but someone did it before me. So I posted the photos on local arms forum just to share with forum members. But it caused some discussion: few people are sure that this piece is brand new. So what do you think about this one? Thanks everyone in advance! D.

9th October 2009, 07:26 PM	#2
Devadatta Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 118

9th October 2009, 07:28 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	I also think that it is recent! sajen

9th October 2009, 07:34 PM	#4
Devadatta Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 118	OK, no more questions, thanks

10th October 2009, 12:11 AM	#5
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,225	Pfew The scabbard is really nice and very detailled. I wonder if they would put this much effort in a new piece nowadays. The blad seems a little bit rought to me. And the pamor near the tip is not very precise / symetric. I can imagine that someone took an old tombak gave it a good washing and then had it decorated with the butterfly and flowers. There is definately something fishy about this tombak The decoration is not old imho. but the rest i don't know. But I think there must be forumites that do know. any comments

10th October 2009, 12:55 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	The lack of wear and the quality of the workmanship in the brass inlay suggest to me that this is of recent manufacture as well.

10th October 2009, 05:19 AM	#7
Boedhi Adhitya Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 103	A good and complete tombak blade should have methuk, a cylindrical base that hold the blade so it will not get into the shaft's hole and break the shaft upon impact. It might be made separatly or not, like ganja in keris. The place where the blade meets methuk should fit the methuk well, that is, cylindrical in shape. No methuk and it is slightly square on Devadatta blade. I think it is a reshaped old pieces, might be cut from a sword or other tombak, who knows ? Of course, my comment based on assumption that the blade really comes from Indonesia/Java.

10th October 2009, 05:43 AM	#8
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,124	If not new then it is seriously reworked from an older blade. The kinatah is certainly new and as has been pointed out, there is very little edge wear so if it isn't new it has been reshaped. If i had to vote though i would say new. Willem, take a look at the incredible details of the contempory work being done in Bali on Alan's thread on the keris form of the Neka Museum in Ubud. Craftmanship is far from dead in Indonesia.

10th October 2009, 02:31 PM	#10
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,893	Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.