As a dagger mounted tombak but from where?

[Sajen]

This as a dagger mounted tombak will enter the collection soon but I have no clue from where this tombak is coming. Is someone able to help? The "dagger" is 40 cm long.

[Sajen]

No thoughts??

[mariusgmioc]

To me, it looks like a repurposed spear tip.

The configuration and decorations on the hilt and scabbard appear to be Indonesian/Sumatran... I guess...

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

To me, it looks like a repurposed spear tip.

The configuration and decorations on the hilt and scabbard appear to be Indonesian/Sumatran... I guess...

Hi Marius,

Thanks a lot for the first comment! Tombak means spear in Indonesian language. That it's a repurposed spear tip was clear but I am unsure about its origin since I never have seen a similar spear tip before. Is it indeed a spear tip from Sumatra? And is the metal work indeed Sumatran? Could it be Malay work? Or from elsewhere? This was my intention.

Best regards,
Detlef

[milandro]

I would doubt tat this is Indonesian tombak or it would be a very unusual shape with an even more unusual mount.

It would be important to see the " peksi" because I'd rather suspect a Philippine's origin.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by milandro

I would doubt that this is Indonesian tombak or it would be a very unusual shape with an even more unusual mount.

Thank you for your comment! Like you I never have seen a spear point of this shape from Indonesia so like you I don't believe in an Indonesian origin.

Originally Posted by milandro

It would be important to see the " peksi" because I'd rather suspect a Philippine's origin.

As soon as I have received it I will post new pictures, also from the tang/pesi. I am not aware of spear points of this shape from the Philippines, have you examples in mind you could show? I rather think of a Malay or Mainland South-East-Asian origin, but I am very unsure.

Regards,
Detlef

[milandro]

well the possibility that it may be from the Filippines is just an hunch. I have never see a spear in this shape but there are so many variations there, probably more than in Indonesia.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by milandro

well the possibility that it may be from the Filippines is just an hunch. I have never see a spear in this shape but there are so many variations there, probably more than in Indonesia.

Hello Milandro,

I am nearly sure that it isn't from the Philippines!

Regards,
Detlef

[Battara]

The repousse work is not Philippine nor is the hilt or blade forms.

In addition, the metal is not silver but brass.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Battara

The repousse work is not Philippine nor is the hilt or blade forms.

Hello Jose,

Thank you for confirming that it isn't from the Philippines!

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

It arrived today, I've cleaned the blade from surface rust but it needs a bath in lemon juice to clean it properly from all oxidation. Until now I haven't removed the handle to have a look at the pesi/tang. It's a big and heavy Spear point with 1.115 gram with handle and scabbard.
But I've polished the mounts. Here are some first pictures.

[Rick]

Detlef, do you remember seeing certain kerises where the dress was entirely of repoussé brass, including the handle?
Below is an example of the handle of one of these odd weapons; I have the scabbard somewhere upstairs in a box. There is also a photo showing a spear set with a very small head; granted, it's not the exact form of your tombak blade, but seems like the same size of yours.
The scabbards are entirely covered with floral pattern repoussé.
The decoration style is quite like your example. I'm sure some others in this group have seen one of these metal clad examples.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Rick

Detlef, do you remember seeing certain kerises where the dress was entirely of repoussé brass, including the handle?
Below is an example of the handle of one of these odd weapons; I have the scabbard somewhere upstairs in a box. There is also a photo showing a spear set with a very small head; granted, it's not the exact form of your tombak blade, but seems like the same size of yours.
The scabbards are entirely covered with floral pattern repoussé.
The decoration style is quite like your example. I'm sure some others in this group have seen one of these metal clad examples.

Hello Rick,

Yes, I know these keris with repousse brass covered scabbards and handles. But this is a completely different quality of repousse work IMVHO.
And I am nearly sure that the material isn't brass by my scabbard and handle but samrit, a brass alloy with gold content, this would be a hint that this example comes from South Thailand.

Regards,
Detlef