Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 20th March 2023, 11:10 PM   #1
Bob A
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 427
Default Interesting Badek(?) found in Timonium

The MACA show this year was somewhat smaller than in pre-Covid times, but there was no shortage of worthy objects. I was fortunate enough to find this little knife (overall 27 cm; blade ~17 cm).

After purchase, Oliver Pinchot was kind enough to translate and interpret the unusual design element. The "ears" of the scabbard form the Arabic script for "Allah" and the inscriptions shown translate as "There is no hero like Ali" and "There is no sword like Zulfikar."

Itseems interesting enough to post here. The workmanship on the scabbard seems to be pretty high level, to my inexperienced eyes.
Attached Images
     
Bob A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th March 2023, 11:44 PM   #2
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,769
Default

Nice little Sulawesi badik, I like the pamor and the interesting loops for the belt.

Is the handle from wood or ivory? The silver work isn't the best, sorry, but better in front than in back.
Many silver covered badik scabbards are present with inscriptions, see my both examples in silver. Age I guess between 1930 and 1940.

Regards,
Detlef
Attached Images
    

Last edited by Sajen; 21st March 2023 at 12:58 AM.
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st March 2023, 02:16 AM   #3
Bob A
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 427
Default

Hilt is wood, with nice chatoyance.

The "belt loops" are to be read as Arabic characters for "Allah" rather than to act as attachments for a belt. I suspect it might be disrespectful to consider it as mere attachment hardware, but that's just a guess on my part.

The metalwork on the front of the scabbard is pretty delicate work, IMO; I'll grant that the back is plain, leaving an area for the inscription.

I'd say your assumption of the age of your example as between 1930 and 1940 is accurate, as the inscription dates it to 29 April, 1939.
Bob A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st March 2023, 04:12 AM   #4
Gavin Nugent
Member
 
Gavin Nugent's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
Default

A nice addition to your collections Bob.
Gavin Nugent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st March 2023, 09:36 AM   #5
Ian
Vikingsword Staff
 
Ian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,197
Default

Bob, I think you have a good-looking badik. The repousse silverwork is attractively done, even if not of the very highest quality, although the "Allah" attachments look a bit crude in their execution and perhaps are not original to the ensemble. The blade shows a nice pattern. Overall, a nice pick-up and a good addition to your collection.
Ian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22nd March 2023, 12:29 AM   #6
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,769
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob A View Post
Hilt is wood, with nice chatoyance.
Hello Bob,

I've thought like this but wasn't sure. Indeed a beautiful looking wood.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob A View Post
The "belt loops" are to be read as Arabic characters for "Allah" rather than to act as attachments for a belt. I suspect it might be disrespectful to consider it as mere attachment hardware, but that's just a guess on my part.
I know, the only word I am able to realize. But I am very positive that they were used to attach the dagger safely. I don't see any disrespectfulness by this. When not used for that purpose they would be rather distracting by wearing.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob A View Post
The metalwork on the front of the scabbard is pretty delicate work, IMO; I'll grant that the back is plain, leaving an area for the inscription.
My comment wasn't meant to be pejorative. The silver work in front of your example is nice for sure but not the best I've seen. Also my examples shows distinctions in quality. The one with hippo ivory hilt is much better worked than my other example.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob A View Post
I'd say your assumption of the age of your example as between 1930 and 1940 is accurate, as the inscription dates it to 29 April, 1939.
I am aware that my examples are dated, both, the other one under the scabbard foot with 16.8.38.
My guess was for your example since it's very similar to my examples.

Regards,
Detlef
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:00 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.