Is this tourist work?

Tim Simmons · 18th December 2004, 11:21 AM

[IMG]http://[/IMG] I got this at a charity market because it was only a few pounds.The spear type blade looks older than the rest of it,which are not new.The scabbard is dressed in a slice of horn ? glued and pinned with a wooden peg .Might it be a so called {lading terus}?Any comments Please.Tim

Henk · 18th December 2004, 03:21 PM

Tim,

It is a bit hard to say but my first opininion is not to call it tourist work. It is a tombak and sometimes they are mounted in a keris dress. I've seen one lately and the scabbard was made to fit the tombak. I suppose in your case it is the same. The ukiran is made in a figure and seems to fit well.
Some close ups from the scabbard and the way the tombak fits in it can tell more. My first opinion is a nice tombak in a keris dress specially made for this tombak.
The horn, is it turtle?

VANDOO · 18th December 2004, 05:08 PM

I WOULD AGREE THAT IT IS NOT TOURIST WORK, THE FITTINGS APPEAR TO HAVE SOME AGE AND ARE WELL DONE AND THE HORN OR SEA TURTLE SHELL ALSO LEADS ME TO THAT CONCLUSION.
WE HAVE DISCUSSED TOMBAK'S BEFORE BUT I WILL ADD A LITTLE CONJECTURE

,THAT I DON'T THINK WAS COVERED. TOMBAKS WERE SPEAR BLADES AND WERE PROBABLY PASSED DOWN THRU THE FAMILY AS OTHER WEAPONS WERE. AT SOME POINT CARRYING A SPEAR AROUND BECAME SOCIALY UNACCEPTABLE OR PERHAPS YOU WERE LOOKED DOWN ON AS BEING PRIMATIVE AND FROM THE COUNTRY. AT THIS POINT SOME OF THE HEIRLOOM BLADES WERE REMOUNTED AS TOMBAK SO THEY COULD STILL BE CARRIED AND HONERED AS FAMILY HEIRLOOMS. SO IN MOST CASES THE BLADES WILL ALWAYS BE OLDER THAN THE FITTINGS. OTHER SPEARS WERE NEVER ALTERED AND KEPT AROUND THE HOUSE OR STORED SOMEWHERE.

Tim Simmons · 18th December 2004, 05:21 PM

Well I say, I only bought this because the money was going to charity.I do not know if it is horn or shell or where it may come from.Here are some more pics.I do believe in father christmass after all.Many thanks to you all Tim

Rick · 18th December 2004, 06:50 PM

An early purchase that Paul must surely remember .

The blade needs staining to say the least .
The blade may be old .

Tim Simmons · 18th December 2004, 07:54 PM

Thank you Rick,I think you have drawn a line under this question.Quite a difference in all aspects.Tourst art can keep skills alive but as all collectors know something is missing.Thank you all ,you have made my weekend.Tim

18th December 2004, 11:21 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,783	Is this tourist work? [IMG]http://[/IMG] I got this at a charity market because it was only a few pounds.The spear type blade looks older than the rest of it,which are not new.The scabbard is dressed in a slice of horn ? glued and pinned with a wooden peg .Might it be a so called {lading terus}?Any comments Please.Tim Attached Images

18th December 2004, 05:21 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,783	Well I say, I only bought this because the money was going to charity.I do not know if it is horn or shell or where it may come from.Here are some more pics.I do believe in father christmass after all.Many thanks to you all Tim Attached Images

18th December 2004, 06:50 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,288	This Probably Is ... Tourist An early purchase that Paul must surely remember . The blade needs staining to say the least . The blade may be old . Attached Images

18th December 2004, 03:21 PM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Tim, It is a bit hard to say but my first opininion is not to call it tourist work. It is a tombak and sometimes they are mounted in a keris dress. I've seen one lately and the scabbard was made to fit the tombak. I suppose in your case it is the same. The ukiran is made in a figure and seems to fit well. Some close ups from the scabbard and the way the tombak fits in it can tell more. My first opinion is a nice tombak in a keris dress specially made for this tombak. The horn, is it turtle?

18th December 2004, 05:08 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I WOULD AGREE THAT IT IS NOT TOURIST WORK, THE FITTINGS APPEAR TO HAVE SOME AGE AND ARE WELL DONE AND THE HORN OR SEA TURTLE SHELL ALSO LEADS ME TO THAT CONCLUSION. WE HAVE DISCUSSED TOMBAK'S BEFORE BUT I WILL ADD A LITTLE CONJECTURE ,THAT I DON'T THINK WAS COVERED. TOMBAKS WERE SPEAR BLADES AND WERE PROBABLY PASSED DOWN THRU THE FAMILY AS OTHER WEAPONS WERE. AT SOME POINT CARRYING A SPEAR AROUND BECAME SOCIALY UNACCEPTABLE OR PERHAPS YOU WERE LOOKED DOWN ON AS BEING PRIMATIVE AND FROM THE COUNTRY. AT THIS POINT SOME OF THE HEIRLOOM BLADES WERE REMOUNTED AS TOMBAK SO THEY COULD STILL BE CARRIED AND HONERED AS FAMILY HEIRLOOMS. SO IN MOST CASES THE BLADES WILL ALWAYS BE OLDER THAN THE FITTINGS. OTHER SPEARS WERE NEVER ALTERED AND KEPT AROUND THE HOUSE OR STORED SOMEWHERE.

18th December 2004, 07:54 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,783	Thank you Rick,I think you have drawn a line under this question.Quite a difference in all aspects.Tourst art can keep skills alive but as all collectors know something is missing.Thank you all ,you have made my weekend.Tim