Stag Hilted Parang For Comment

Lew · 23rd August 2005, 11:28 AM

Henk

the guard is carved from horn and there is a tourtise shell butt cap on the end of the stag grip if it was replaced it was done in Indonesia a long time ago.

Lew

Henk · 23rd August 2005, 08:30 PM

Lew,

In my humble opinion it is a hilt that is not often seen in this way. Just raw staghorn (forgive me the expression, i don't know how to put it in another way) is rather uncommon on such a sword. It looks more like a golok. It probably is one and mostly the shape of the hilt is bended at the end with a knob or a carved head. So the staghorn follows that bending good. If the guard is horn it could be very well made in Indonesia. It is a bit hard to see on the pics but it looks like a guard as you see them on an european or american dagger.

I certainly didn't put up that the replacement was not done in Indonesia but the mounting with the guard isn't the original mounting in my opinion. And we all know that wooden parts are often replaced in that area. Just as it happens to the keris it also is not uncommon to other weapons.

Maybe a a pic of the guard from the top or the bottom and the endcap of the hilt?
After all it remains a very nice piece.

Ian · 23rd August 2005, 09:06 PM

Lew:

Very nice piece, and nicely etched blade.

I agree with the comments about a "European" look to this sword which I would also call a golok, or perhaps a pedang. The "European" features in the guard and hilt are reminiscent of the hunting swords of Europe, and these are seen on Dutch Colonial pieces from Indonesia. We tend to forget that the Dutch did influence designs in edged weapons in their Indonesian colony, notably a few centers in Western Java (e.g., Tjikeroeh), and I have one of the TJIKR swords with a stag handle and cross guard with acorn finials that looks very similar to a 19th C. German hunting sword. Most of these Dutch Colonial pieces seem to date from the late 19th C. into the 1920s. I suspect this example is probably of similar age.

The scabbard seems to be a marriage. It seems too plain and utilitarian for this sword, and does not look especially Indonesian (Javanese) IMO -- more likely from Sumatra, Borneo or the Philippines.

Ian.

derek · 23rd August 2005, 09:34 PM

That's some sweet junk.

23rd August 2005, 09:06 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,396	Lew: Very nice piece, and nicely etched blade. I agree with the comments about a "European" look to this sword which I would also call a golok, or perhaps a pedang. The "European" features in the guard and hilt are reminiscent of the hunting swords of Europe, and these are seen on Dutch Colonial pieces from Indonesia. We tend to forget that the Dutch did influence designs in edged weapons in their Indonesian colony, notably a few centers in Western Java (e.g., Tjikeroeh), and I have one of the TJIKR swords with a stag handle and cross guard with acorn finials that looks very similar to a 19th C. German hunting sword. Most of these Dutch Colonial pieces seem to date from the late 19th C. into the 1920s. I suspect this example is probably of similar age. The scabbard seems to be a marriage. It seems too plain and utilitarian for this sword, and does not look especially Indonesian (Javanese) IMO -- more likely from Sumatra, Borneo or the Philippines. Ian. Last edited by Ian; 24th August 2005 at 08:36 AM.

23rd August 2005, 11:28 AM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Henk the guard is carved from horn and there is a tourtise shell butt cap on the end of the stag grip if it was replaced it was done in Indonesia a long time ago. Lew

23rd August 2005, 08:30 PM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Lew, In my humble opinion it is a hilt that is not often seen in this way. Just raw staghorn (forgive me the expression, i don't know how to put it in another way) is rather uncommon on such a sword. It looks more like a golok. It probably is one and mostly the shape of the hilt is bended at the end with a knob or a carved head. So the staghorn follows that bending good. If the guard is horn it could be very well made in Indonesia. It is a bit hard to see on the pics but it looks like a guard as you see them on an european or american dagger. I certainly didn't put up that the replacement was not done in Indonesia but the mounting with the guard isn't the original mounting in my opinion. And we all know that wooden parts are often replaced in that area. Just as it happens to the keris it also is not uncommon to other weapons. Maybe a a pic of the guard from the top or the bottom and the endcap of the hilt? After all it remains a very nice piece.

23rd August 2005, 09:34 PM	#4
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	That's some sweet junk.