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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,716
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Hello dear members,
Not long ago I came across this from the auction house as "African knife" described mandau with brass hilt. The scabbard seems to be a newer replacement, the blade seems to be old, by the handle I am unsure but it seems to have some good age, the pitch ferrule is missing and one of the "knobs" and the rotan binding at the handle is just a fragment. It's the first mandau I've seen with brass hilt! ![]() All comments are very welcome! Which Dayak tribe? Age? |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,716
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#3 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,144
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Nice find Sajen. That brass hilt does appear to have some age. Are the Dayak groups prominent workers in brass/bronze? I know that the Murat from further north use brass on their hilts, but not seen much on Dayak swords before. That hilt is a very sophisticated casting and impressive work. It seems to be made in several pieces that were brazed together. Nice brass inlays on the blade too. A piece of distinction for a distinguished person?
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,249
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Hello Detlef,
Congrats, nice find! I agree that it's not African and that the scabbard looks like a later replacement... ![]() Some of the hilt motifs seem to hint at coastal Malay influence - I'd first check among the ethnic groups of Brunei. The blade seems of good quality - might be traded from the mountains. How thick is it? Regards, Kai |
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#5 | ||
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,716
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![]() Quote:
Thank you! And a good hint that it could originate from coastal Malay/Brunei of Borneo. Quote:
Regards, Detlef |
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Singapore
Posts: 320
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Very interesting looking and a lucky find! What is the clear tip off that the scabbard is later?
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#7 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,249
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Hello Ian,
Quote:
In this case, I'm leaning towards Malay(-influenced) groups from the greater Brunei area. There was heavy production of sword hilts for dukn (also known as Iban pedang or Dusan gayang) as well as other brass/bronze products (gongs, etc.). Regards, Kai |
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#8 | |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,716
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![]() Quote:
Thank you for your comments! Like Kai explained there was some brass casting on Borneo. I for my part have never before seen a brass hilted mandau. The other questions I will let to others, I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to Dayak/Borneo blades! ![]() Regards, Detlef |
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