Lovely Beladah Belabang (Parang Nabur) That Needs Help with Arabic Translation

CharlesS · 5th January 2015, 07:16 PM

Here is a lovely old, I am assuming 19th century, Beladah Belabang(what we once called a parang nabur) of a quality I have not encountered before in these.

The heavy, thick blade is superbly forged with its fullers cut out for a decorative appearance. The blade is covered in gold koftgari of extremely high quality and features an Arabic cartouche on darkened steel on each side AND along the spine. I am hoping to get some help with translation of this cartouches. Thanks in advance for any help.

Note the hilt's horn is carved in a better than typical fashion with a lovely floral row on each side of the top and detailed floral pommel. The ferrule is quality silver and not much, if any, alloy.

While some of the gold koftgari floral motifs look quite Islamic, especially those surrounding the cartouches, there are other areas, notably at the forte and far end of the cartouches, that look more European in style to my eye. Also note the koftgari on the hilt knuckle bow...to me this looks very European. I am wondering what others think of this and if they agree.

This was a great Christmas surprise and I am thrilled to have it.

Constructive input is always appreciated.

drac2k · 5th January 2015, 07:32 PM

What an absolutely stunning piece ! Were you really that good last year to merit a Christmas present of that magnitude ???

CharlesS · 5th January 2015, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

What an absolutely stunning piece ! Were you really that good last year to merit a Christmas present of that magnitude ???

Good???...me???...oh yes!!!

fernando · 5th January 2015, 09:01 PM

What a fantabulous piece !!!

David · 5th January 2015, 09:14 PM

um....wow!

Iain · 5th January 2015, 09:49 PM

When do you start the museum.

Very nice piece, I always appreciate seeing the interesting pieces you have, sadly I can't comment on the specific questions you had but hopefully others will!

kronckew · 6th January 2015, 12:15 AM

nice fuller.

Spunjer · 6th January 2015, 03:59 AM

wow, bro! i've seen some nice beladahs, but this one takes the cake! awesome catch!!! congrats! you seem to have a magnet for beauties

VVV · 6th January 2015, 10:37 AM

Stunning!!!

The blade does not look like it was made in Borneo, even if it is modelled after a BB.
Perhaps a Banjarese ordered it somewhere else when he was on a hajj or a trade tour?

Michael

CharlesS · 6th January 2015, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

Stunning!!!

The blade does not look like it was made in Borneo, even if it is modelled after a BB.
Perhaps a Banjarese ordered it somewhere else when he was on a hajj or a trade tour?

Michael

Like I mentioned Michael...to me 1/4 of the koftgari doesn't look like it came from anywhere I can think of in the Islamic world. I am most curious about it. I certainly would not count out your theory.

Maurice · 6th January 2015, 02:27 PM

That is a fantastic and interesting sword!
Congratulations with your beauty. I can't give you more information about the blade, as I have never seen something like this before.
I hope others would be able to give a translation.

Maurice

Maurice · 6th January 2015, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

The blade does not look like it was made in Borneo, even if it is modelled after a BB.
Perhaps a Banjarese ordered it somewhere else when he was on a hajj or a trade tour?

The inlay/decoration is coming back in the handguard and "screw" on top of the handle.
So there might be a possibility a foreign artisan made the inlay in Bandjermasin?

trenchwarfare · 6th January 2015, 06:02 PM

Wow, talk about artistry in steel.

Machetero · 7th January 2015, 09:25 AM

I will not be able to give any other feedback than WOW. That is an amazing piece! And also, even if the style is Banjar I do not think the blade is. Leaning towards the Hajj theory too.

Maurice · 7th January 2015, 09:59 AM

South Borneo (Bandjermassin and surroundings), were a wasp's nest of cultures and people!

carlos · 7th January 2015, 05:12 PM

Wow !!

congratulations, What a beauty piece !! The blade is from another world !!
The best blade I have never seen in this type of sword
thanks
carlos

CharlesS · 7th January 2015, 05:46 PM

Thanks so much for all the kind words guys. I am still hoping for some help with the translations.

Thanks again.

Ferguson · 7th January 2015, 10:25 PM

No help here, but it's extraordinarily beautiful.
Steve

CharlesS · 12th January 2015, 09:08 PM

I have just been told that all the inscriptions, including the spine, are Qur'anic verses, but would still love a translation if possible.

5th January 2015, 07:16 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Lovely Beladah Belabang (Parang Nabur) That Needs Help with Arabic Translation Here is a lovely old, I am assuming 19th century, Beladah Belabang(what we once called a parang nabur) of a quality I have not encountered before in these. The heavy, thick blade is superbly forged with its fullers cut out for a decorative appearance. The blade is covered in gold koftgari of extremely high quality and features an Arabic cartouche on darkened steel on each side AND along the spine. I am hoping to get some help with translation of this cartouches. Thanks in advance for any help. Note the hilt's horn is carved in a better than typical fashion with a lovely floral row on each side of the top and detailed floral pommel. The ferrule is quality silver and not much, if any, alloy. While some of the gold koftgari floral motifs look quite Islamic, especially those surrounding the cartouches, there are other areas, notably at the forte and far end of the cartouches, that look more European in style to my eye. Also note the koftgari on the hilt knuckle bow...to me this looks very European. I am wondering what others think of this and if they agree. This was a great Christmas surprise and I am thrilled to have it. Constructive input is always appreciated. Attached Images Last edited by CharlesS; 5th January 2015 at 07:41 PM.

5th January 2015, 07:32 PM	#2
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	What an absolutely stunning piece ! Were you really that good last year to merit a Christmas present of that magnitude ???

5th January 2015, 09:01 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	What a fantabulous piece !!!

5th January 2015, 09:14 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,121	um....wow!

5th January 2015, 09:49 PM	#6
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	When do you start the museum. Very nice piece, I always appreciate seeing the interesting pieces you have, sadly I can't comment on the specific questions you had but hopefully others will!

6th January 2015, 12:15 AM	#7
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,182	nice fuller.

6th January 2015, 03:59 AM	#8
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	wow, bro! i've seen some nice beladahs, but this one takes the cake! awesome catch!!! congrats! you seem to have a magnet for beauties

6th January 2015, 10:37 AM	#9
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Stunning!!! The blade does not look like it was made in Borneo, even if it is modelled after a BB. Perhaps a Banjarese ordered it somewhere else when he was on a hajj or a trade tour? Michael

6th January 2015, 02:27 PM	#11
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,342	That is a fantastic and interesting sword! Congratulations with your beauty. I can't give you more information about the blade, as I have never seen something like this before. I hope others would be able to give a translation. Maurice

6th January 2015, 06:02 PM	#13
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Wow, talk about artistry in steel.

7th January 2015, 09:25 AM	#14
Machetero Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 12	I will not be able to give any other feedback than WOW. That is an amazing piece! And also, even if the style is Banjar I do not think the blade is. Leaning towards the Hajj theory too.

7th January 2015, 09:59 AM	#15
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,342	South Borneo (Bandjermassin and surroundings), were a wasp's nest of cultures and people!

7th January 2015, 05:12 PM	#16
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	Wow !! congratulations, What a beauty piece !! The blade is from another world !! The best blade I have never seen in this type of sword thanks carlos

7th January 2015, 05:46 PM	#17
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Thanks so much for all the kind words guys. I am still hoping for some help with the translations. Thanks again.

7th January 2015, 10:25 PM	#18
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	No help here, but it's extraordinarily beautiful. Steve

12th January 2015, 09:08 PM	#19
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	I have just been told that all the inscriptions, including the spine, are Qur'anic verses, but would still love a translation if possible.