Another Acquisition--Keris style spear

David · 6th November 2018, 11:51 PM

Michael, this is not a keris so i am going to transfer it over to the regular Ethno forum. This is called a Tombak and it is nice to see such a complete one with the sheath, shaft and end piece intact.

MichaelZWilliamson · 7th November 2018, 04:46 AM

Thanks very much.

Henk · 7th November 2018, 07:29 AM

Very nice tombak. The relief at the base of the blade was gilded. The technique is called kinatah. To bring it back in its original state the blade should be treated with warangan.

Rick · 7th November 2018, 02:33 PM

Not to mention, it seems to have a separate metuk which is the iron collar at the base of the blade which I take to be (at the very least) an indication of the smith's skill.

MichaelZWilliamson · 7th November 2018, 02:35 PM

Can anyone read the label on the back of the scabbard?

Sajen · 7th November 2018, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelZWilliamson

Can anyone read the label on the back of the scabbard?

First word is for sure Tombak!

A. G. Maisey · 7th November 2018, 08:59 PM

Michael, if you could look carefully at this label , possibly through a loupe, or magnifying glass, and write down the letters as you see them, it is possible that I may be able to give sense to them.

I've run it through Photoshop and sharpened it up a bit, and here is what I think I can see:-

line 1:- tombak = spear, pandan = a type pf plant, the leaves used in cooking

line 2:- - - 00 = unintelligible, possibly a price?

line 3:- pamor = the surface patterning of the blade, rambon = a type of tobacco, this reading does not make any sense; if it were to be "pamor rambut", this might make sense, "rambut" is "hair", and this might have been classified by somebody as "pamor rambut", I cannot see it clearly enough to form an opinion.

line 4:- pake = a corruption or alternative colloquial spelling/pronunciation of "pakai", "pakai" = use, wear, take.

Let me have what you can see and I might be able to do better.

7th November 2018, 08:59 PM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Michael, if you could look carefully at this label , possibly through a loupe, or magnifying glass, and write down the letters as you see them, it is possible that I may be able to give sense to them. I've run it through Photoshop and sharpened it up a bit, and here is what I think I can see:- line 1:- tombak = spear, pandan = a type pf plant, the leaves used in cooking line 2:- - - 00 = unintelligible, possibly a price? line 3:- pamor = the surface patterning of the blade, rambon = a type of tobacco, this reading does not make any sense; if it were to be "pamor rambut", this might make sense, "rambut" is "hair", and this might have been classified by somebody as "pamor rambut", I cannot see it clearly enough to form an opinion. line 4:- pake = a corruption or alternative colloquial spelling/pronunciation of "pakai", "pakai" = use, wear, take. Let me have what you can see and I might be able to do better. Attached Images

6th November 2018, 11:51 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	Michael, this is not a keris so i am going to transfer it over to the regular Ethno forum. This is called a Tombak and it is nice to see such a complete one with the sheath, shaft and end piece intact.

7th November 2018, 04:46 AM	#2
MichaelZWilliamson Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 50	Thanks very much.

7th November 2018, 07:29 AM	#3
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Very nice tombak. The relief at the base of the blade was gilded. The technique is called kinatah. To bring it back in its original state the blade should be treated with warangan.

7th November 2018, 02:33 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Not to mention, it seems to have a separate metuk which is the iron collar at the base of the blade which I take to be (at the very least) an indication of the smith's skill.

7th November 2018, 02:35 PM	#5
MichaelZWilliamson Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 50	Can anyone read the label on the back of the scabbard?