NORTH ? NIAS BALATO

asomotif · 5th September 2009, 12:44 AM

I assume I bought a North Nias Balato.

Simple but stylisch imho.

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

kai · 5th September 2009, 06:49 PM

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

asomotif · 7th September 2009, 12:00 AM

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)

Sajen · 7th September 2009, 12:56 AM

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

asomotif · 7th September 2009, 06:28 AM

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.

Best regards,
Willem

5th September 2009, 12:44 AM	#1
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,228	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 ? Attached Images

7th September 2009, 12:00 AM	#3
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,228	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) Attached Images

5th September 2009, 06:49 PM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	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

7th September 2009, 12:56 AM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,144	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

7th September 2009, 06:28 AM	#5
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,228	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. Best regards, Willem