Parang(my latest) compered to another.
 

I got this last Thursday. Not old, but that is not my reason for collecting. It is shown along side one with some similarities which has been seen before and Malay suggested as an origin. Any comments would be most welcome. Tim

Tim,

Nice parang. I have seen another, older one, once with a very resembling hilt being attributed by the seller to Iban, Borneo. But that blade looked more like a pregnant jimpul and had aso motives etc. engraved. Also the scabbard was slightly different.
But maybe this could be a newer, less decorated version of this parang?

Michael

Micheal, yes Iban, Borneo is quite likely. I have seen other painted artifacts from Borneo. It is looking a lot better after a rub down. I know it is not old but I really like these homemade {for want of a better term} pieces. To me it captures something of the ordinary people. Tim

Hi take a look at this

The Handle

Sorry here it is

I say that is rather nice, looks as if it is has about the same age but a fine example. In Albert G. Van Zonneveld " Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago" on page 81 he lists this hilt form as a 'Lasara' monster hilt, which he says is from Nias, like all people that make lists they can appear to be a little bunged up! I must say that is a handsome parang. Tim.