Help ID - Indonesia, ancestor figures?

DaveA · 20th June 2020, 11:21 PM

Hello all,

I acquired this knife recently. I have an interest in ancestor figures on edged weapons and scabbards as design features with various degrees of symbolic importance.

I came upon this thread and perhaps it provides a clue: Tanimbar Moluccas, Indonesia?

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=Ancestor

These are the seller's pictures. After I clean it up a bit and work on that rust, I'll have new pictures to share.

Does anyone recognize this knife or design or can comment?

Best Regards,

Dave A.

Rick · 20th June 2020, 11:23 PM

I believe it's Batak.

Oliver Pinchot · 20th June 2020, 11:35 PM

Agreed, Rick. I was about to say the same.

DaveA · 21st June 2020, 12:32 AM

Thanks very much. That it might be Batak was in the back of my head and was my first impression until I saw the other thread.

Superficially, the shape and carvings resemble the Batak Piso Gaja Dompak with the exception that no elephant is depicted on the hilt. So I suspected it was in that style, but of far lesser prestige than the kingly Piso Gaja Dompak.

Links below are to original; Google translate is a big help

Wikipedia article

Piso Gaja Dompak as royal pusaka

Comments? Any notions of age?

Sajen · 21st June 2020, 09:18 AM

Hello Dave,

It's a Toba Batak knife, see this threads:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=toba+batak
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=toba+batak
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=toba+batak

This one seems to have some age, please show pictures when you have cleaned the blade.

Regards,
Detlef

20th June 2020, 11:21 PM	#1
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Help ID - Indonesia, ancestor figures? Hello all, I acquired this knife recently. I have an interest in ancestor figures on edged weapons and scabbards as design features with various degrees of symbolic importance. I came upon this thread and perhaps it provides a clue: Tanimbar Moluccas, Indonesia? http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=Ancestor These are the seller's pictures. After I clean it up a bit and work on that rust, I'll have new pictures to share. Does anyone recognize this knife or design or can comment? Best Regards, Dave A. Attached Images

21st June 2020, 12:32 AM	#4
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Piso Batak Thanks very much. That it might be Batak was in the back of my head and was my first impression until I saw the other thread. Superficially, the shape and carvings resemble the Batak Piso Gaja Dompak with the exception that no elephant is depicted on the hilt. So I suspected it was in that style, but of far lesser prestige than the kingly Piso Gaja Dompak. Links below are to original; Google translate is a big help Wikipedia article Piso Gaja Dompak as royal pusaka Comments? Any notions of age?

20th June 2020, 11:23 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,291	I believe it's Batak.

20th June 2020, 11:35 PM	#3
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 457	Agreed, Rick. I was about to say the same.

21st June 2020, 09:18 AM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,769	Hello Dave, It's a Toba Batak knife, see this threads: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=toba+batak http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=toba+batak http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=toba+batak This one seems to have some age, please show pictures when you have cleaned the blade. Regards, Detlef