Indonesian? Spear

Lee · 22nd March 2020, 04:18 PM

I had promised in another thread to post a picture of a spear whose thin white metal sleeve with rolled edges located over the shaft below the spearhead was similar to the sleeve on the scabbard of that keris cuntrik. (Despite the similar appearance, the sleeve on this spear tested as high grade silver with appropriate traces consistent with refining residues in 'antique' silver, while the keris cuntrik sleeve was white brass.)

The length from the tip of the spearhead to the base of the high karat gold decorated ferrule is 18 inches. (The silver sleeve on the pole measures 13 inches; otherwise, the pole is smoothly finished plain dark wood.)

I liked the aesthetic and workmanship of this spear and paid dearly when I found it at a Japanese sword show declared by the seller as Middle-Eastern, but knew that was wrong when I bought it and I have assumed it has come from one of the cultures in Indonesia. I would appreciate any help with more precise localization of it origin and thoughts about its age..

kai · 22nd March 2020, 08:11 PM

Hello Lee,

Thanks for showing this - seems we currently have a welcome flurry of spears!

This is certainly Indonesian, most probably from the Jawa/Bali nexus.

The methuk at the base of the blade seems to be separate, isn't it? I hope Alan can comment on the hemispherical shape.

Please post more pics of the whole spear!

Regards,
Kai

Sajen · 23rd March 2020, 10:22 AM

Hello Lee,

A very nice spear, I am with Kai, Java or Bali IMVHO. I like the good gold kofgari.

Also would like to see the complete spear.

Regards,
Detlef

Lee · 23rd March 2020, 02:29 PM

Thank you, gentlemen. The methuk is separate and also solid - this is fairly obvious looking up from the tang in the area usually hidden by the pole. It has been very carefully fitted to the spearhead with the very inconspicuous join apparently being just beyond the undecorated groove. The blade end of the pole has a ferrule appearing to be made of brass before the rolled edge of the silver sleeve.

I will provide additional images, as requested, when an opportunity with appropriate natural light presents itself.

A. G. Maisey · 23rd March 2020, 10:03 PM

Amongst the old school collectors of Central Jawa during the late 20th century, a major indicator for tombak classification was the metuk.

The metuk on this tombak under discussion is the form attributed to Buton province in Sulawesi.

The blade itself I'd prefer to reserve comment on, it is similar in some respects to a Javanese form, but there are insufficient indicators present for me to form an opinion I could defend.

Details of the landeyan (shaft) might assist.

Lee · 24th March 2020, 05:31 PM

Thank you Ian.

The overall length is 81.125 inches. There is no finial or treatment of the end of the shaft, nor evidence of one previously.

Here are some additional images:

kai · 25th March 2020, 11:34 PM

Hello Alan,

Quote:

The metuk on this tombak under discussion is the form attributed to Buton province in Sulawesi.

Thanks! Is this metuk specific for the island of Buton or does its origin also include the neighbouring southeastern arm of Sulawesi?

The whole region was well-known for its blade smiths, anyway.

Regrds,
Kai

A. G. Maisey · 25th March 2020, 11:48 PM

No idea at all Kai, I'm just repeating something that probably the bulk of ahli keris living in Solo during the 1970's & 1980's believed. At that time many of these ahli keris were men of advanced age who carried late colonial beliefs into the post-WWII period. Theirs was old knowledge, not the newly manufactured "knowledge" we now encounter so frequently.

22nd March 2020, 04:18 PM	#1
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 913	Indonesian? Spear I had promised in another thread to post a picture of a spear whose thin white metal sleeve with rolled edges located over the shaft below the spearhead was similar to the sleeve on the scabbard of that keris cuntrik. (Despite the similar appearance, the sleeve on this spear tested as high grade silver with appropriate traces consistent with refining residues in 'antique' silver, while the keris cuntrik sleeve was white brass.) The length from the tip of the spearhead to the base of the high karat gold decorated ferrule is 18 inches. (The silver sleeve on the pole measures 13 inches; otherwise, the pole is smoothly finished plain dark wood.) I liked the aesthetic and workmanship of this spear and paid dearly when I found it at a Japanese sword show declared by the seller as Middle-Eastern, but knew that was wrong when I bought it and I have assumed it has come from one of the cultures in Indonesia. I would appreciate any help with more precise localization of it origin and thoughts about its age.. Attached Images

24th March 2020, 05:31 PM	#6
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 913	Thank you Ian. The overall length is 81.125 inches. There is no finial or treatment of the end of the shaft, nor evidence of one previously. Here are some additional images: Attached Images

22nd March 2020, 08:11 PM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Hello Lee, Thanks for showing this - seems we currently have a welcome flurry of spears! This is certainly Indonesian, most probably from the Jawa/Bali nexus. The methuk at the base of the blade seems to be separate, isn't it? I hope Alan can comment on the hemispherical shape. Please post more pics of the whole spear! Regards, Kai

23rd March 2020, 10:22 AM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,769	Hello Lee, A very nice spear, I am with Kai, Java or Bali IMVHO. I like the good gold kofgari. Also would like to see the complete spear. Regards, Detlef

23rd March 2020, 02:29 PM	#4
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 913	Thank you, gentlemen. The methuk is separate and also solid - this is fairly obvious looking up from the tang in the area usually hidden by the pole. It has been very carefully fitted to the spearhead with the very inconspicuous join apparently being just beyond the undecorated groove. The blade end of the pole has a ferrule appearing to be made of brass before the rolled edge of the silver sleeve. I will provide additional images, as requested, when an opportunity with appropriate natural light presents itself.

23rd March 2020, 10:03 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,888	Amongst the old school collectors of Central Jawa during the late 20th century, a major indicator for tombak classification was the metuk. The metuk on this tombak under discussion is the form attributed to Buton province in Sulawesi. The blade itself I'd prefer to reserve comment on, it is similar in some respects to a Javanese form, but there are insufficient indicators present for me to form an opinion I could defend. Details of the landeyan (shaft) might assist.

25th March 2020, 11:48 PM	#8
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,888	No idea at all Kai, I'm just repeating something that probably the bulk of ahli keris living in Solo during the 1970's & 1980's believed. At that time many of these ahli keris were men of advanced age who carried late colonial beliefs into the post-WWII period. Theirs was old knowledge, not the newly manufactured "knowledge" we now encounter so frequently.