Indonesian Knife?? (Mentawaï? )

Athanase · 22nd April 2017, 03:20 PM

Hello,

I have this knife for several years but I do not know anything about are origin.
The seller said it came from an old Austrian collection of South-East Asian items and that the knives were perhaps Indonesian but he was not sure.
I still took the risk of buying the knife because I like unusual or original objects.

At some research I found it looked like the Mentawai Palitai, but the scabbard entry and the handle are very different from the usual Palitais.

Do you have an idea?

asomotif · 22nd April 2017, 10:01 PM

You are right. the scabbard and blade are typical a palitai.
And indeed the scabbard mouth and handle are a modification.

Best regards,
Willem

Albert · 22nd April 2017, 10:03 PM

IMO the lower part of the scabbard and the blade are that of a Palitai from the Mentawai Islands.
The upper part of the scabbard and the hilt don't look like Mentawai, and probably are later additions.

Athanase · 23rd April 2017, 12:10 AM

Thank to you two.

So I guess the changes were made in Europe or with a European style influence (probably after the handle was broken?).

Even though it was modified I'm glad I found a Palitai.

22nd April 2017, 03:20 PM	#1
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 408	Indonesian Knife?? (Mentawaï? ) Hello, I have this knife for several years but I do not know anything about are origin. The seller said it came from an old Austrian collection of South-East Asian items and that the knives were perhaps Indonesian but he was not sure. I still took the risk of buying the knife because I like unusual or original objects. At some research I found it looked like the Mentawai Palitai, but the scabbard entry and the handle are very different from the usual Palitais. Do you have an idea? Attached Images

22nd April 2017, 10:03 PM	#3
Albert Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 194	Palitai IMO the lower part of the scabbard and the blade are that of a Palitai from the Mentawai Islands. The upper part of the scabbard and the hilt don't look like Mentawai, and probably are later additions.

22nd April 2017, 10:01 PM	#2
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,225	You are right. the scabbard and blade are typical a palitai. And indeed the scabbard mouth and handle are a modification. Best regards, Willem

23rd April 2017, 12:10 AM	#4
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 408	Thank to you two. So I guess the changes were made in Europe or with a European style influence (probably after the handle was broken?). Even though it was modified I'm glad I found a Palitai.