Peurawot from Aceh

[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 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

[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

[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

[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