Tombak spearhead

kai · 31st January 2020, 05:37 PM

Hello Pieje,

Congrats, this is a good tombak, most probably Jawa. Quite likely to be 19th c. or older - there seems to be quite a bit of loss due to erosion which is to be expected. Alan may be able to narrow down the age/origin.

The scabbard seems to be made from cheap wood which tends to age quicker. I'd guess this is a 20th c. replacement.

You don't show the wooden pole - is it modern?

Regards,
Kai

A. G. Maisey · 31st January 2020, 07:03 PM

Yes, Jawa.

Stylistically the metuk looks like Mataram, as for age, I'd say pre-1850. I tend to be cautious about age.

Tombak very, very rarely come with anything like an original scabbard, the reason being that whereas keris were primarily talismanic in a combat situation, the tombak was the weapon of choice, thus as soon as, or before, the action started the scabbard was removed and just left where it lay.

Rick · 31st January 2020, 09:22 PM

This tombak gives the appearance of having a separate methuk sp? .
What is the significance of this separate ring or collar; could it be compared to the function of the gonjo of a keris?

Very nice tombak.

vilhelmsson · 31st January 2020, 11:05 PM

I am fascinated by the pattern-welding on this spear. I've only seen similar straight line pattern-welding on the Illerup Adal swords pictured below from vols 11 and 12 of Illerup Adal (and on an early medieval sword in my collection, the authenticity of which I am divided about).

Is pattern-welding like this common on tombaks? Is similar pattern-welding common on other items from a particularly time and place?

Pieje · 1st February 2020, 12:02 AM

Thanks Kai, Alan & Rick!
The pole is a simple wooden stick, I guess same age as the scabbard. I’ll make a picture tomorrow in daylight. The methuk doesn’t seem to be a separate piece.
Curious about the straight lines too, as I noticed a different pattern on most examples I have found on the net.

Ian · 1st February 2020, 12:11 AM

I'm wondering if this blade might be of piled rod construction. Looks that way to me. Perhaps our Indonesian/keris experts might comment on that technique in relation to Indonesian weapons.

Ian.

A. G. Maisey · 1st February 2020, 12:31 AM

In respect of the method of manufacture of this tombak, all we're looking at is a simple mlumah billet, that is, random pattern a la wos wutah, ngulit semangko, etc., that has been forged to 90 degrees from its original orientation, so the effect when it is forged to shape is that the edges of the contrasting material appear on the surface, rather than the faces of the material. In Javanese tosan aji this is pretty common. We call it "pamor adeg", ie, "standing pamor".

Rick, the earliest form of keris, the Keris Buda also used a metuk, which eventually became the mendak, I suspect this change occurred because the force of a blow lessened as the Modern Keris developed, the Modern Keris was used in a rapier-like fashion, the Keris Buda was used with a downwards hammer blow. The mendak can act as a sort of shock absorber, by crumpling or collapsing if the point were to strike something unyielding. The Keris Buda was supported by the edge of the palm, as opposed to the Modern Keris being held in a pinch grip. All this finessing around with strike force is obviously unnecessary with a spear or lance.

Admitted, it is often very difficult to get a clear impression of details from a photograph, but from what I believe I can see in the photo, I do think this metuk is mechanically fitted, not integral.

31st January 2020, 11:05 PM	#4
vilhelmsson Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Bay Area Posts: 57	I am fascinated by the pattern-welding on this spear. I've only seen similar straight line pattern-welding on the Illerup Adal swords pictured below from vols 11 and 12 of Illerup Adal (and on an early medieval sword in my collection, the authenticity of which I am divided about). Is pattern-welding like this common on tombaks? Is similar pattern-welding common on other items from a particularly time and place? Attached Images

31st January 2020, 05:37 PM	#1
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Pieje, Congrats, this is a good tombak, most probably Jawa. Quite likely to be 19th c. or older - there seems to be quite a bit of loss due to erosion which is to be expected. Alan may be able to narrow down the age/origin. The scabbard seems to be made from cheap wood which tends to age quicker. I'd guess this is a 20th c. replacement. You don't show the wooden pole - is it modern? Regards, Kai

31st January 2020, 07:03 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Yes, Jawa. Stylistically the metuk looks like Mataram, as for age, I'd say pre-1850. I tend to be cautious about age. Tombak very, very rarely come with anything like an original scabbard, the reason being that whereas keris were primarily talismanic in a combat situation, the tombak was the weapon of choice, thus as soon as, or before, the action started the scabbard was removed and just left where it lay.

31st January 2020, 09:22 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	This tombak gives the appearance of having a separate methuk sp? . What is the significance of this separate ring or collar; could it be compared to the function of the gonjo of a keris? Very nice tombak.

1st February 2020, 12:02 AM	#5
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Thanks Kai, Alan & Rick! The pole is a simple wooden stick, I guess same age as the scabbard. I’ll make a picture tomorrow in daylight. The methuk doesn’t seem to be a separate piece. Curious about the straight lines too, as I noticed a different pattern on most examples I have found on the net.

1st February 2020, 12:11 AM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,396	I'm wondering if this blade might be of piled rod construction. Looks that way to me. Perhaps our Indonesian/keris experts might comment on that technique in relation to Indonesian weapons. Ian.

1st February 2020, 12:31 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	In respect of the method of manufacture of this tombak, all we're looking at is a simple mlumah billet, that is, random pattern a la wos wutah, ngulit semangko, etc., that has been forged to 90 degrees from its original orientation, so the effect when it is forged to shape is that the edges of the contrasting material appear on the surface, rather than the faces of the material. In Javanese tosan aji this is pretty common. We call it "pamor adeg", ie, "standing pamor". Rick, the earliest form of keris, the Keris Buda also used a metuk, which eventually became the mendak, I suspect this change occurred because the force of a blow lessened as the Modern Keris developed, the Modern Keris was used in a rapier-like fashion, the Keris Buda was used with a downwards hammer blow. The mendak can act as a sort of shock absorber, by crumpling or collapsing if the point were to strike something unyielding. The Keris Buda was supported by the edge of the palm, as opposed to the Modern Keris being held in a pinch grip. All this finessing around with strike force is obviously unnecessary with a spear or lance. Admitted, it is often very difficult to get a clear impression of details from a photograph, but from what I believe I can see in the photo, I do think this metuk is mechanically fitted, not integral.