Mandau for comment
 

Hello

The thread on hilt faces has me enthralled.
I have been looking at photographs of mine for faces but do not have photos of everything here with me and I am away at work for the next 2 weeks. When I get home I must find and photograph the rest of them.

However, I have this photo and have often thought the hilt ( no face ) was somewhat unusual because of the "domed" top to it.

Can anyone suggest an origin for this one please.

Regards
Royston

Hi Royston,


That is a nice mandau IMO.

My guess is that its origine must be found in an area were dajaks and malay people lived close together. Maybe an Islam-converted dajak?
This I think because of the flowerstylish hilt and carvings on the scabbard.

I would guess near the area of Negara, but I could be wrong and hope more knowledgeable people could either confirm this or can tell more about the origin.

Maurice

That's a very unusual varition - nice!
I think Maurice is correct about his assumptions but based on the hilt form maybe it's a bit further up North than just outside Negara.
Look forward to when you find time to share more hilts on the face thread.

Michael

Hi Royston,

In my opinion indeed a mandau from somewhere between the Negara area and the Modang area. The overall shape of the hilt looks like a modang , the floral carved motifs on the hilt and scabbard are the Malay influence from the south. Below a hilt om my collection....


Arjan.

In Hornbill and dragon you can find similar Handle with floral motif


Ben

Hi Ben,


I will be able to look it up soon, I hope! :)