9th December 2022, 04:44 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 312
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Nias Balato charm ball size Q
I have several balatos. The charm ball on the scabbard are of varying size, but the latest one I have seems rather small.
Pictures below showed one with boar tusks and my latest with crocodile teeth on the ball. The charm ball on the latter seems rather small. It is about 9.2 cm diameter compared with the one with boar tusks of 14.6 cm. Is the one with crocodile teeth of normal size (within usual range) or it is just a balato made for " tourists" ? Can anyone estimate the age of both. (apologies for bad pics). Green/nik |
10th December 2022, 03:13 AM | #2 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,217
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Maybe, but the patina looks old to me.
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10th December 2022, 09:08 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 194
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Small charm balls
Small charm balls are not unusual.
See the illustration of swords from South Nias. Source: Modigliani, E. (1890) Un Viaggio a Nias. Also published in: Zonneveld, A.G. van (2022) Traditionele wapens van Nias. |
11th December 2022, 10:22 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,254
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Congrats, Nik!
The small ball looks rather good to me, indeed. Some more close-ups would be good. Estimating age on Nias swords is quite tricky. There certainly were made a lot of pieces for local use, especially in performances and many found their way to the western world as tourist souvenirs. Thus, top-end collectors tend to be conservative and rather err on the side of caution... Could you please add pics from all 4 sides of the hilt and its top, too? Do the scabbards appear to be made from the same type of wood/timber? Regards, Kai |
12th December 2022, 07:57 AM | #5 |
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Malaysia
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Albert;
Many thanks for the info. Kai; Below are some additional pics from different angles. |
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