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21st June 2006, 03:03 PM
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#1 |
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 30
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Yup, it's an antler. Don't know from what species though.
The tooth in my hand is hollow btw; so I don't think it's a claw. I know crocodile teeth is hollow. A Dayak showed me one tooth from a freshwater croc they accidentally caught in a fishing net - in Kalimantan, not Nias. I wonder which endangered species are represented on this balato 
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21st June 2006, 03:33 PM
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#2 |
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Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,339
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They could also be the teeth of small cetaceans such as the Pilot Whale or any of the small toothed whales found in the area .
While we're on the subject of Nias : http://nias.natmus.dk/photographs.htm Enjoy the collection ; there are some gems in here for the finding . 
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21st June 2006, 03:42 PM
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#3 |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 951
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Hi How old do you think these bellato s are ???
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21st June 2006, 04:13 PM
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#4 |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,637
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Nice Balatos,
I am traveling at the moment but will have a look when back home if I can find something on Balato Balasala. Ian, what does a Sumatran Jimpul look like? Could you please share some pictures? Michael |
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21st June 2006, 04:42 PM
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#5 |
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 30
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Not sure how old these are. At least the seller had the honesty to say he didn't know either other than to say it's old. The tusks of the 2nd balato are tied to the basket with fishing line so it can't be that old - unless it was just restored that way.
If I had to go out on a limb, I'd say less than 100 and more than 20 years old
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22nd June 2006, 11:52 AM
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#6 |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,637
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Micas,
I went through my reference articles and books on Nias swords but couldn't find the description Balasala mentioned anywhere? On Balato Tologu it was translated as ceremonial or royal sword. Balato is sword/knife in a generic sense. I found several swords with the same blade as your Balasala but they were all listed as Tologu (lots of different spellings but I use your original one in this reply). Michael |
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24th June 2006, 07:38 AM
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#7 |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 15
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Balatos
These are not old swords old as in the context of being used in the tribal sense of the word. Ie: headhunting as in the 19th c.These have the Beku too big on the handle ect just not old very late.The metal is probably thin on the scabbards the white metal is probably aluminum.Fishing line is key to show its not old.
The boars tusks is the most common found on the ball.Sometimes you find wooden teeth carved on tourist not old .The true Nias royal swords have C.Porsus teeth on them or Higher status the next P.Tigris Sondaica extinct 1980's, or P.tigris balica extinct 1940 or the p. tigris Sumatrae Teeth.Also a combination of the p. porsus and the above mentioned .Also the wooden carved figures on the amulet but most are from North Nias. Also other teeth or various animals are found on the amulet ball. Boars tusks found on amulets such as these are late made as you can see they are very dark ie;probably smoked.When you see a very old Nias sword with a old Amulet ball made of boars tusk the configuration on how they are placed is not of this style.They are also very glossy Patina from handling over years and years and light in color .Almost a ivory white. Check to see how the ball post is made .... Cy |
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