Mandau for comment

cel7 · 11th March 2022, 02:49 PM

Hello, I have received two mandaus here. Actually this is outside my collectible area but, as I couldn't resist them, I made a bid on the auction they were offered at and won them.
Of course I did some research on these weapons, but I soon found out that it is a specialty to be able to distinguish the copies made for tourists, the composite and the original. Hence my question what do I have here?
Number 1 has a grip made of what I think is antler. Wrapped with ratan and provided with hair (animal?). The blade is slightly convex on the outside but not concave on the inside. The outside is inlaid with brass or copper. The spine also has copper inlay work.
The sheath decorated with incised figures and on the inside provided with a snakeskin holder containing the small knife. There is also a piece of thin cloth attached with a number of teeth (wild boar?)
What bothers me is that these teeth are secured with modern plastic beads. Could this be a later addition as the rest of this mandau does seem to have some age?
I will show the other mandau in another post. Thanks!

cel7 · 11th March 2022, 02:58 PM

Some more pictures

kai · 11th March 2022, 09:30 PM

This is tough - I'm not trying to sugar-coat it:

The blade looks decent and might be reasonably old. Everything else seems much more recent: IMHO certainly after WW2, and quite likely more like late 20th century.

These were still being made for local ceremonial use (including dance/show) and this example might have been in genuine use. A pretty far cry from the old style pieces though, I'm afraid. Also the dirt on the scabbard has no sensible reason the be there (except for trying to make it look old).

Have a close look at the pics available on this forum for getting a better feel regarding quality (scrutinize each component). Keep in mind that there are lots of different ethnic groups (regional/cultural differences) as well as a range of quality available during each period though. Albert's recent book is also a good place to start with.

Regards,
Kai

11th March 2022, 02:49 PM	#1
cel7 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 154	Mandau for comment Hello, I have received two mandaus here. Actually this is outside my collectible area but, as I couldn't resist them, I made a bid on the auction they were offered at and won them. Of course I did some research on these weapons, but I soon found out that it is a specialty to be able to distinguish the copies made for tourists, the composite and the original. Hence my question what do I have here? Number 1 has a grip made of what I think is antler. Wrapped with ratan and provided with hair (animal?). The blade is slightly convex on the outside but not concave on the inside. The outside is inlaid with brass or copper. The spine also has copper inlay work. The sheath decorated with incised figures and on the inside provided with a snakeskin holder containing the small knife. There is also a piece of thin cloth attached with a number of teeth (wild boar?) What bothers me is that these teeth are secured with modern plastic beads. Could this be a later addition as the rest of this mandau does seem to have some age? I will show the other mandau in another post. Thanks! Attached Images

11th March 2022, 02:58 PM	#2
cel7 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 154	Some more pictures Attached Images

11th March 2022, 09:30 PM	#3
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	This is tough - I'm not trying to sugar-coat it: The blade looks decent and might be reasonably old. Everything else seems much more recent: IMHO certainly after WW2, and quite likely more like late 20th century. These were still being made for local ceremonial use (including dance/show) and this example might have been in genuine use. A pretty far cry from the old style pieces though, I'm afraid. Also the dirt on the scabbard has no sensible reason the be there (except for trying to make it look old). Have a close look at the pics available on this forum for getting a better feel regarding quality (scrutinize each component). Keep in mind that there are lots of different ethnic groups (regional/cultural differences) as well as a range of quality available during each period though. Albert's recent book is also a good place to start with. Regards, Kai