20th March 2023, 11:10 PM | #1 |
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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. |
20th March 2023, 11:44 PM | #2 |
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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 Last edited by Sajen; 21st March 2023 at 12:58 AM. |
21st March 2023, 02:16 AM | #3 |
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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. |
21st March 2023, 04:12 AM | #4 |
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A nice addition to your collections Bob.
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21st March 2023, 09:36 AM | #5 |
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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.
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22nd March 2023, 12:29 AM | #6 | |||
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Hello Bob,
I've thought like this but wasn't sure. Indeed a beautiful looking wood. Quote:
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My guess was for your example since it's very similar to my examples. Regards, Detlef |
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