Is This a Badik/Badek??

CharlesS · 25th December 2008, 10:36 PM

I picked up this nice, but unusual, Indonesian dagger last week. My first thought was that it was a badek/badik from Sumatra, but it has just enough unusual features that technically it may not be that at all, so I would love any feedback or opinions. It is the hilt style and curvature that is especially intriguing, and makes me lean away from this being a true badik.

The hilt is ivory with a swasa ferrule. The blade is pamor steel. The scabbard is gilted brass over wood. The blade is 10in., and the piece is 15in. overall.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

asomotif · 26th December 2008, 01:25 AM

Very nice find.
I would definately say badek. But Sumatra ?
Might well be from outside Sumatra.
The scabbard makes me think of Bugis pendoks on keris...

Amuk Murugul · 26th December 2008, 02:51 AM

Hullo Charles,

Outside my area I'm afraid. But the shape of the blade, handle & sheath reminds me more of a Sumateran Laduk; can even stretch it to a Sumateran Pisau Raut. Anyway, you may wish to check it out for yourself. Hope I've helped.

Best,

VVV · 26th December 2008, 10:25 AM

My hunch, based on the top part of the scabbard and the grip shape, is that it's Bugis from South Sulawesi.
But overall I haven't seen anything resembling before?

Michael

Henk · 26th December 2008, 11:00 AM

It is a badek. Nice piece, although I have my doubts about the hilt. Attached to the blade it fits perdect in the scabbard. But if you look how it is attached to the blade, it is not how it should be. In my opinion the hilt is a later addition, but not very properly done.

Dajak · 26th December 2008, 12:29 PM

I don t think this is from Sumatra looks like this is malaysian .

Ben

Battara · 26th December 2008, 10:03 PM

A beautiful find! Makes me wonder if other examples are also gilded brass instead of gold, for example, in some of these museums.

Mark · 29th December 2008, 03:33 PM

Wow! Where do you find this stuff, Charles?

Lew · 29th December 2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

Wow! Where do you find this stuff, Charles?

Simple he has a time machine!

Lew

VVV · 29th December 2008, 07:08 PM

Here is a reference badek from South Sulawesi.
Note the similarity in the top part of the scabbard and the angle of the hilt.
Henk has a point on the attachment of the hilt.

Michael

CharlesS · 29th December 2008, 09:25 PM

Thanks guys.

Thanks for the pic VVV...looks just about identical stylistically.

The blade and hilt are an odd fit. The ferrule and hilt have obviously been together a long time. For some reason I think the blade is the later addition.

Battara · 29th December 2008, 11:36 PM

I can see why you say that and you may be right, although these never seemed to be great fits anyway.

25th December 2008, 10:36 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Is This a Badik/Badek?? I picked up this nice, but unusual, Indonesian dagger last week. My first thought was that it was a badek/badik from Sumatra, but it has just enough unusual features that technically it may not be that at all, so I would love any feedback or opinions. It is the hilt style and curvature that is especially intriguing, and makes me lean away from this being a true badik. The hilt is ivory with a swasa ferrule. The blade is pamor steel. The scabbard is gilted brass over wood. The blade is 10in., and the piece is 15in. overall. Thanks in advance for any feedback. Attached Images

29th December 2008, 07:08 PM	#10
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Here is a reference badek from South Sulawesi. Note the similarity in the top part of the scabbard and the angle of the hilt. Henk has a point on the attachment of the hilt. Michael Attached Images

26th December 2008, 01:25 AM	#2
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,225	Very nice find. I would definately say badek. But Sumatra ? Might well be from outside Sumatra. The scabbard makes me think of Bugis pendoks on keris...

26th December 2008, 02:51 AM	#3
Amuk Murugul Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kaboejoetan Galoenggoeng Mélben Posts: 460	Hullo Charles, Outside my area I'm afraid. But the shape of the blade, handle & sheath reminds me more of a Sumateran Laduk; can even stretch it to a Sumateran Pisau Raut. Anyway, you may wish to check it out for yourself. Hope I've helped. Best,

26th December 2008, 10:25 AM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	My hunch, based on the top part of the scabbard and the grip shape, is that it's Bugis from South Sulawesi. But overall I haven't seen anything resembling before? Michael

26th December 2008, 11:00 AM	#5
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	It is a badek. Nice piece, although I have my doubts about the hilt. Attached to the blade it fits perdect in the scabbard. But if you look how it is attached to the blade, it is not how it should be. In my opinion the hilt is a later addition, but not very properly done.

26th December 2008, 12:29 PM	#6
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	I don t think this is from Sumatra looks like this is malaysian . Ben

26th December 2008, 10:03 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	A beautiful find! Makes me wonder if other examples are also gilded brass instead of gold, for example, in some of these museums.

29th December 2008, 03:33 PM	#8
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Wow! Where do you find this stuff, Charles?

29th December 2008, 09:25 PM	#11
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Thanks guys. Thanks for the pic VVV...looks just about identical stylistically. The blade and hilt are an odd fit. The ferrule and hilt have obviously been together a long time. For some reason I think the blade is the later addition.

29th December 2008, 11:36 PM	#12
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	I can see why you say that and you may be right, although these never seemed to be great fits anyway.