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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
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First time I saw this Parang was at a Danish auction house over 4 years ago.
I was in company with the late Karsten Sejr Jensen but none of us bid on it because a Danish Borneo collector friend of us wanted it and it as the only mandau at the auction. And there were several nice keris, kris and other goodies for us so... But last month I managed to get it so here it is. I think it's from NW Borneo but open for other suggestions? Michael PS Close up of the hilt at the Face Gallery. |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: The Netherlands
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Hi Michael,
An intriging beautifully carved handle! Seadajak? Maurice |
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#3 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
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Compare the examples in Hein's Indonesische Schwertgriffe (Marudubai) Michael |
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#4 |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
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Ahhh Michael....i will be raiding your house sometime soon, i am sure...
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#5 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
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#6 |
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Your are both welcome.
But beware, I am well armed... Michael |
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#7 |
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Michael,
NW Borneo for sure, but I never know when I should start calling something Murut. The square pattern is only on one side ? Do you have close ups of the other decorations ? Maybe the lines / squares are more a coastal influence from other parts of the archipelago ![]() I have a hilt with similar features that has a imho chinese dragon carved. That must be a coastal influence too, I assume. |
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#8 |
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The Muruts and Dusun were living in the north east part of Borneo:Sabah, and not in the NW part of Borneo???
Or am I misreading something here? Maurice |
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#9 |
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Maurice, to me the Western part of Sabah, like Marudu Bay, is NW Borneo
![]() Willem, the square pattern is only on one side and the other side has a scroll motif. I don't recall a resembling motif from other parts of the archipelago but I am open for suggestions? On yours the interesting dragon probably is a Chinese influence, as you suggested. Michael |
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#10 | |
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Join Date: Nov 2006
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They have line work inlays. Not the same. but that is the closest link I can think of. |
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#11 |
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Join Date: Jun 2009
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Maybe is the square pattern an imitation on a plaiting pattern? These have been imitated on earthware, and I recall, in Solyoms Keris book there is a depiction of javanese pendoks with a plaited motif. Was it called "burning incense" on Java and have a protective meaning? I don't have this book, so I am not 100% sure.
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#12 |
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Thanks Gustav and Willem,
I just checked Solyom. It's described on page 58 and you remember correctly. It seems like a probable clue to this motif. Michael |
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#13 |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: OKLAHOMA, USA
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THE DRAGON HANDLE ASOMOTIF POSTED COULD BE THE ASO (DOG DRAGON) IT IS AN OLD DESIGN OFTEN SEEN REPRESENTED IN MANY FORMS. THIS PICTURE OF SOME OLD EXAMPLES THE HEADS RESEMBLE THE MANDAU HILT. THE DESIGN COULD STILL BE INFLUENCED BY THE CHINESE AS THEY HAVE TRADED IN THE AREA FOR A LONG TIME.
THESE TWO CARVINGS ARE ATTRIBUTED TO THE KENYAH/ KAYAN GROUPS. |
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#14 |
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Join Date: Jun 2009
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Michael, take a look at this: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10847!
Both patterns on one blade! I think now, it's clearly protective. |
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#15 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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But also it's coming from a complete different part as the mandau Michael posted. |
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#16 |
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Join Date: Oct 2008
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the traditional craftsmanship of Borneo never ceased to amaze me... I really like that parang.
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