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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,732
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Hello dear members,
Not long ago I came across this from the auction house as "African knife" described mandau with brass hilt. The scabbard seems to be a newer replacement, the blade seems to be old, by the handle I am unsure but it seems to have some good age, the pitch ferrule is missing and one of the "knobs" and the rotan binding at the handle is just a fragment. It's the first mandau I've seen with brass hilt! ![]() All comments are very welcome! Which Dayak tribe? Age? |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,732
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#3 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,167
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Nice find Sajen. That brass hilt does appear to have some age. Are the Dayak groups prominent workers in brass/bronze? I know that the Murat from further north use brass on their hilts, but not seen much on Dayak swords before. That hilt is a very sophisticated casting and impressive work. It seems to be made in several pieces that were brazed together. Nice brass inlays on the blade too. A piece of distinction for a distinguished person?
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,252
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Hello Detlef,
Congrats, nice find! I agree that it's not African and that the scabbard looks like a later replacement... ![]() Some of the hilt motifs seem to hint at coastal Malay influence - I'd first check among the ethnic groups of Brunei. The blade seems of good quality - might be traded from the mountains. How thick is it? Regards, Kai |
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#5 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,252
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Hello Ian,
Quote:
In this case, I'm leaning towards Malay(-influenced) groups from the greater Brunei area. There was heavy production of sword hilts for dukn (also known as Iban pedang or Dusan gayang) as well as other brass/bronze products (gongs, etc.). Regards, Kai |
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#6 | |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,732
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![]() Quote:
Thank you for your comments! Like Kai explained there was some brass casting on Borneo. I for my part have never before seen a brass hilted mandau. The other questions I will let to others, I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to Dayak/Borneo blades! ![]() Regards, Detlef |
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#7 | ||
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
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![]() Quote:
Thank you! And a good hint that it could originate from coastal Malay/Brunei of Borneo. Quote:
Regards, Detlef |
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#8 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Singapore
Posts: 322
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Very interesting looking and a lucky find! What is the clear tip off that the scabbard is later?
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#9 | |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,732
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![]() Quote:
Thank you! ![]() There is not the clear tip but some hints, also when I am not an expert by Borneo weapons I have handled some very nice and old swords and seeing a lot more online. The scabbard in question is minimum old, see by the attached pictures the cracks in the rotan, a clear sign of good age. By the following pictures you see first the rotan binding from the scabbard in question and next a binding by a very old scabbard. Antique bindings are very refined, compare. Another sign is the overall patination, color and the feeling in hand. Try to look to old collections, there you can handle the objects, visit museums, look online but don't believe all what there is told. Look to the pages of art dealers, it's a long learning process. Best regards, Detlef |
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#10 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Singapore
Posts: 322
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#11 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 999
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I’ve seen plenty of Mandau’s in the Forum pages and on-line but never with a brass hilt. A first look for me. Very nice, thanks for sharing.
I have seen and handled a Balato with a brass hilt, well just 1, maybe brass casted hilts is more common with Nias than Borneo. |
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#12 |
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,252
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Hello Albert,
full-size Nias swords with brass hilts are rare; brass hilts with daggers/knives are really common though. Both Sumatra and Borneo have their share of brass hilts, too - remember the Iban dukn I referred to. Mandau with brass hilts are certainly very rare: Note that the design and decor are not typical - I'm pretty sure it's Malay(-influenced). Regards, Kai |
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#13 | |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
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![]() Quote:
Like Kai wrote, there are knives and daggers with brass handles by the Nias tribes but only a few swords with them. Regards, Detlef |
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#14 | |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 999
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All I had in my mind at the time were Mandau’s. |
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#15 |
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Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 4
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What an interesting mandau, good find Sajen. I've never seen a mandau with brass hilt before.
And i agree with Kai. This mandau seems has a lot of malay's influence. I'm pretty sure this mandau was owned by an high degree malayan coastal people as a gift or collection. |
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#16 | |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,732
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![]() Quote:
Thank you for comment! ![]() Regards, Detlef |
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