Timor Sword

Marcokeris · 22nd May 2007, 12:23 PM

Beautifull!!! Congratulations

VVV · 22nd May 2007, 01:07 PM

Very nice Opi!

Michael

kai · 22nd May 2007, 08:45 PM

Bill, congrats for getting this piece from Arjan's collection! I like the carvings and the old fittings...

Michael, why do you think this is an Opi? The hilt and scabbard style seems to me in good agreement with what Albert van Zonneveld classifies as sword of the Timor group, type a, doesn't it?

While the short blade seems to be of good quality, I assume these are mainly status (or ceremonial) swords?

Regards,
Kai

VVV · 22nd May 2007, 09:13 PM

Kai,

I have always called the type a Timor sword an Opi.
But now when you bring it up maybe I have always been wrong on this?

Michael

kai · 23rd May 2007, 08:16 PM

Hello Michael,

AvZ's Opi examples display a distinct hilt and scabbard style. Aside from Stone, he only references W. Foy (1899).

Are there any other primary sources which support a connection between the name and either sword type?

Regards,
Kai

VVV · 23rd May 2007, 08:31 PM

Hello Kai,

I haven't either found that much on Timor weapon names.
Usually the Timor books I have, or have seen, are more into the "tribal art" aspects than weapons.
Unfortunately I don't have the Leiden catalogues on Timor where I suspect the local names are clarified.

Michael

Maurice · 11th June 2008, 10:47 AM

Hi Bill,

To bring up an old threat.
I was looking at old threats and I found this one.
I noticed immediately those sort of "pens" in the handle (sorry Bill, I messed with your nice pic :-) to make clear what I mean).
My rugi from Alor has on two places 2 kind of pens (metal bronzecolour), like your Timor sword. The pens in the rugi are not through the handle. At the other side of the handle it is just plain.
Are those pens in your Timor sword through the handle, and are they wood or also metal? And do you know what purpose it had?

Regards,
Maurice

11th June 2008, 10:47 AM	#7
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,462	Hi Bill, To bring up an old threat. I was looking at old threats and I found this one. I noticed immediately those sort of "pens" in the handle (sorry Bill, I messed with your nice pic :-) to make clear what I mean). My rugi from Alor has on two places 2 kind of pens (metal bronzecolour), like your Timor sword. The pens in the rugi are not through the handle. At the other side of the handle it is just plain. Are those pens in your Timor sword through the handle, and are they wood or also metal? And do you know what purpose it had? Regards, Maurice Attached Images

22nd May 2007, 12:23 PM	#1
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	Beautifull!!! Congratulations

22nd May 2007, 01:07 PM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Very nice Opi! Michael

22nd May 2007, 08:45 PM	#3
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Bill, congrats for getting this piece from Arjan's collection! I like the carvings and the old fittings... Michael, why do you think this is an Opi? The hilt and scabbard style seems to me in good agreement with what Albert van Zonneveld classifies as sword of the Timor group, type a, doesn't it? While the short blade seems to be of good quality, I assume these are mainly status (or ceremonial) swords? Regards, Kai

22nd May 2007, 09:13 PM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Kai, I have always called the type a Timor sword an Opi. But now when you bring it up maybe I have always been wrong on this? Michael

23rd May 2007, 08:16 PM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Michael, AvZ's Opi examples display a distinct hilt and scabbard style. Aside from Stone, he only references W. Foy (1899). Are there any other primary sources which support a connection between the name and either sword type? Regards, Kai

23rd May 2007, 08:31 PM	#6
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Hello Kai, I haven't either found that much on Timor weapon names. Usually the Timor books I have, or have seen, are more into the "tribal art" aspects than weapons. Unfortunately I don't have the Leiden catalogues on Timor where I suspect the local names are clarified. Michael