Unusual mandau

VVV · 4th January 2012, 06:19 PM

Here is a, probably Ot Danum, parang with a quite unusual "wild" wooden variation of hilt.
Does anyone of the forumites have another one as a reference?

Michael

CharlesS · 4th January 2012, 07:36 PM

What kind of date would you give this one VVV?

asomotif · 4th January 2012, 08:22 PM

Hello Michael,

Interesting combination of hilt and scabbard.
The scabbard is very finely carved , while the hilt is very crudely carved.

I would guess this to be 1st half 20th century (imho)

Best regards,
Willem

Indianajones · 4th January 2012, 09:03 PM

Hi all, indeed the first thing that came into my mind was that it is Kenyah -as they always have a very wild and intricate style- although the handle resembles a more (impractical?!) jungle-inspired carving. Also the copperwire (on the handle)I have seen before on typical Ot Danum mandaus.
The blade seems to be a 'general' tradesblade more used by the Kenyahs than the Ot Danum as the last are located closer to ironores and smithies.

Attached my map of Borneo with the locations of the different tribes (mostly from Hornbill n Dragon and few other reliable books).

Very nice and unusual carved handle; I also never seen a mandau like it.
Thanks for sharing!

Sajen · 4th January 2012, 09:27 PM

Hi Michael,

very unusual mandau indeed! On the close up from the handle I can see that it was unprofessional reglued with superglue at some areas. When I am you I would let restore this parts. Thank's for charing with us this mandau.

Regards,

Detlef

VVV · 4th January 2012, 10:17 PM

Yes, it's the first half of 20th C and it needs to be restored at the glued breaks. I don't think it's crudely made but that it is supposed to show the wild nature as a source for power.
There is one more with a similar kind of handle from the same collection that now is in one of the top Dutch collections. And then there is also supposed to be one in a museum (Pusat?) in Jakarta. I was hoping that some forumite maybe had a no 4 or 5?

Michael

4th January 2012, 06:19 PM	#1
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Unusual mandau Here is a, probably Ot Danum, parang with a quite unusual "wild" wooden variation of hilt. Does anyone of the forumites have another one as a reference? Michael Attached Images

4th January 2012, 09:03 PM	#4
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Hi all, indeed the first thing that came into my mind was that it is Kenyah -as they always have a very wild and intricate style- although the handle resembles a more (impractical?!) jungle-inspired carving. Also the copperwire (on the handle)I have seen before on typical Ot Danum mandaus. The blade seems to be a 'general' tradesblade more used by the Kenyahs than the Ot Danum as the last are located closer to ironores and smithies. Attached my map of Borneo with the locations of the different tribes (mostly from Hornbill n Dragon and few other reliable books). Very nice and unusual carved handle; I also never seen a mandau like it. Thanks for sharing! Attached Images

4th January 2012, 07:36 PM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	What kind of date would you give this one VVV?

4th January 2012, 08:22 PM	#3
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,222	Hello Michael, Interesting combination of hilt and scabbard. The scabbard is very finely carved , while the hilt is very crudely carved. I would guess this to be 1st half 20th century (imho) Best regards, Willem

4th January 2012, 09:27 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,727	Hi Michael, very unusual mandau indeed! On the close up from the handle I can see that it was unprofessional reglued with superglue at some areas. When I am you I would let restore this parts. Thank's for charing with us this mandau. Regards, Detlef

4th January 2012, 10:17 PM	#6
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Yes, it's the first half of 20th C and it needs to be restored at the glued breaks. I don't think it's crudely made but that it is supposed to show the wild nature as a source for power. There is one more with a similar kind of handle from the same collection that now is in one of the top Dutch collections. And then there is also supposed to be one in a museum (Pusat?) in Jakarta. I was hoping that some forumite maybe had a no 4 or 5? Michael