Peurawot from Aceh

[VVV]

Good things come in pairs.
I have been looking for a peurawot for years and then I found two in 2013.
I know that Gavin has one, too (could you please post yours here?).
Anyone else who feel to contribute so we can have some more here for reference?

Michael

[Maurice]

That's a great one Michael. Congratulations. I was too late on this one... Great that you've got it!

Maurice

[Rick]

What is the handle material on the second one ?
It looks almost like akar bahar .

[VVV]

Thanks Maurice.
Rick, I am waiting for a "material expert" collector friend to come over and help me make up my mind about what it is.

Michael

[CharlesS]

Beautiful pieces Michael. First ones I've seen. I really like the scabbard carving.

I am assuming that these are utility knives?

[asomotif]

So that is where it went :-)

I also saw this "sold" item in Awe.
I missed out on 2 of them in 2013.

This here below is the other one that I noticed but could not buy.

[Gavin Nugent]

Michael, I will post mine as you ask later this week. Congrats on a beautiful example of a strong and interesting form.

Charles, I understand they are used for Betal Nut. Others may advise further.

Gavin

[kai]

Hello Michael,

Congrats, nice examples! I'm glad you snapped that up when most of us were busy with Christmas...

Your first one looks more like a rough specimen. I have a similar one of large proportions - what is the blade length of yours?

The second has the text-book (and status) hilt: curved away from the edge, with carved tampo design (pommel), and an - especially nice - sampa (ferrule) from suasa. I really like the variant scabbard carving! Please post some more close-ups of these features - thanks a lot!

The blade is much shorter than the hilt: Any hints that the blade tip got reprofiled?

Anyone else who feel to contribute so we can have some more here for reference?

Yep, good idea, especially since there is quite a bit of variety in peurawot blades, hilts, and scabbards!

With the deeply appreciated and hopefully ongoing help of some very kind friends I managed to assemble a small peurawot collection. Will try to take pics when weather and time permits.

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Hello Michael,

I am waiting for a "material expert" collector friend to come over and help me make up my mind about what it is.

Agree with Rick [I wrote Willem originally - sorry for the error] that it does look a bit "suspicious" - experienced seller says black horn though. If the hilt feels more like stone/bone (harder; colder to the touch), it most likely is Akar Bahar. Close-ups!

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Hello Gavin and Charles,

Charles, I understand they are used for Betal Nut. Others may advise further.

Peurawot come in very different sizes and blade/hilt configurations. Thus, I have a difficult time to see it as a specialized tool. I haven't found any historic records that mention that peurawot are limited to working pinang (betel nuts). Given that there is a broad variety of examples (from basic to high status, small to large, different edge/hilt configurations), I reckon it originally was more like a general utility knife with the main sidearm and the rencong taking over the primary and secondary weapon function, respectively.

It is obvious that the highly decorated status peurawot for nobility and other luminaries were important parts of the attire. I have no qualms to accept that in priviledged social strata these may have been mainly or possibly even exclusively utilized when chewing betel (pinang); with mere mortals, however, it seems to me that the peurawot was a Aceh piso: cutting anything that needed to be cut including the socially paramount pinang usage...

Regards,
Kai

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Michael,


Agree with Willem that it does look a bit "suspicious" - experienced seller says black horn though. If the hilt feels more like stone (harder; colder to the touch), it most likely is Akar Bahar. Close-ups!

Regards,
Kai

????

I don't see anybody calling the hilt material suspicious. I am not anyway.

Best regards,
Willem

[Maurice]

Willem, why do you think it's "suspicious"?

I don't think so at all....

[kai]

Hello Willem,

Sorry for the glitch: I meant to respond to Rick's comment regarding the hilt material.

I don't see anybody calling the hilt material suspicious. I am not anyway.

Suspiciously looking like Akar Bahar (at bit at least) - that's why I put "suspicious" in quotes. Forgot to add a smiley for increased safety though...

Regards,
Kai

[VVV]

Hi all,

I also "suspect" that it is akar bahar but I don't want to claim it until I am sure.
Here are some additional close ups regarding your questions on material, design and if the blade has been reshaped
(quite possible because this is not the traditional blade shape for this knife but a early/mid 20th C version).

On it's use, in all references I have read it is described specifically as a knife for betel nuts.
Maybe it had some status implications to have a separate knife solely for this?

I look forward to Gavin's and Kai's coming picture contributions.

Michael

[Gavin Nugent]

Very nice Michael,

I would, based on the images call this a horn hilt.

Gavin

[Gavin Nugent]

Michael,

As requested.

Horn, Suasa, timber and ink.

Gavin

[kai]

Hello Gavin,

I would, based on the images call this a horn hilt.

I am now also leaning towards horn (despite the unsharp pics). Please keep us posted with the final assessment, Michael!

BTW, neat peurawot with beautiful scabbard and special hilt!

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Hello Michael,

Here are some additional close ups regarding your questions on material, design and if the blade has been reshaped
(quite possible because this is not the traditional blade shape for this knife but a early/mid 20th C version).

Thanks for the pics! I've seen the blade shape varying quite a bit with these - are you going to etch it?

On it's use, in all references I have read it is described specifically as a knife for betel nuts.
Maybe it had some status implications to have a separate knife solely for this?

Yes, like I surmised earlier, it is quite possible that this was only used for this purpose by the upper strata of society. Not much else they are needing a knife for on a regular basis...

BTW, I've been traveling with a heavy betel user in another culture - the supply was coming ready to use from street vendors with not much to prepare. Does anybody know the traditional routine in Aceh when chewing betel in a social setting?

Regards,
Kai

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo everybody!

Just a passing comment:

Peurawot, as its name suggests, was essentially used for carving/forming (hence the variation in blade-shape and size).
As for its use as a pinang cutter: I would suggest, more as a shaver, to which it would lend itself (in the absence of an implement specifically for that purpose).

It should not be confused with badik/rencong -type implements, which were designed for a different purpose.
Examination of the blade and handle should be a determining factor.

Best,

[asomotif]

Just adding an old picture from another thread

[kai]

Here some examples from my collection, finally.

Most are clearly status pieces while the last one appears to be a multipurpose tool rather than a specialised carving knife; note the similarity with Michael's larger example at the start of the thread (both blades not displaying the typical peurawot blade shape).

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Here 2 more examples which seem to be related; arguably not peurawot in a strict sense but different piso types from Aceh: The first again a general purpose tool somewhat similar to the 2 larger examples discussed above and a status piso with Akar Bahar hilt (note blade profile and differently carved scabbard).

Regards,
Kai

[Maurice]

Some beautiful items you have there Kai.
Good to see that your camera is working finally. :-)

Here two that went through my fingers.
One has a hilt made of akar bahar and suassa, which has a length of 32 cm (in the scabbard).
The other one has no scabbard, a hippopotamus / suassa hilt, and has a length of 27 cm.

Kind regards,
Maurice

[Battara]

Wonderful pieces. I love the akar bahar and then the contrast between the ivory and the suassa!

[Sajen]

Some very nice ones from you both! Will post pictures of my example soon as I have it in my hands.

Regards,
Detlef

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by kai

Here some examples from my collection, finally.

"some"... this means you have more. impressive !

[kai]

No worries, Willem, this currently is my whole peurawot line-up.

I meant adding some more examples to this thread though...

BTW, I especially like the scabbard of yours, too!

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

Adding my humble example to this great reference thread.

[Athanase]

Hello,

I finally managed to get my first Piso Peurawot.

[kai]

Hello Séverin,

Very nice example! Let me know...

How long is it in total and the blade only?

I especially like the carving and hope someone can decipher the scripture.

Regards,
Kai