NORTH ? NIAS BALATO
 

I assume I bought a North Nias Balato.

Simple but stylisch imho.

Anybody who can explain the small ball on top of the hilt ?

Congrats, Willem - seems to be a fairly old sword!

The scabbard has a bit rougher finish. Any hints that it may be a bit younger or of the same age as the sword?

To me, the "ball" seems to be the head of a stylized bekhu (a demon). This would place the origin of this piece as South Nias, wouldn't it?

Regards,
Kai

Hello Kai,

The sacabbard is of a different kind of wood, different grain I think.
Seems original to the blade.

I always am tempted to think a piece is north Nias when it is simple in its decorations.
But indeed, it might be a very stilized Bekhu.

I found this one on the Tropenmuseum site for comparrison.
But I could not find one with a simplefied Bekhu like mine.
(assuming it is a bekhu)

Hi Willem,
a honest Balato, nice find. When you see the both swords side by side I think Kai is correct, it seems to be a stylized Bekhu.

Regards,

Detlef

Hello Detlef,

Yes, menawhile I see it too ;)

In mine there is a ridge as a stilized body of the bekhu, ending in a ball, being the head.

Not as eloborate as many other south Nias pieces, but still not a bad find in these days of temporary balato's being sold as antiques on many websites and Epray. :shrug:

Best regards,
Willem