I'd Like to Learn More About This Borneo Sword/Parang

CharlesS · 18th December 2014, 06:00 PM

This sword was a recent Ebay purchase. I was very pleased to get it and once in hand it was an even more impressive piece.

The blade does not seem to fit neatly into any of E. Banks blade categories in his Hoplology In Sarawak, and seems more like one of van Zonneveld's(Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago) jimpul variants (plate 165). I am hoping we'll get some more feedback on this form from our Borneo blades experts.

The hilt is the largest one of its type I have seen from Borneo. While the blade is typical in length(19in.) and weight, the hilt is over 1.5inches wide at the end and over 4in. in circumference.

It appears that one of the forward krowits has broken off.

The patina and carving are impressive throughout.

Rattan bands and hilt plug(can't remember the correct term!) have been restored.

Dimensions:

Overall: 27in.

Blade Length: 19in. Width: 2in. at its widest point. Thickness: 3/8 in. at the forte.

asomotif · 18th December 2014, 10:03 PM

Hello Charles,

This looks like (another) gayang to me.

Te style of the carvings on scabbard and handel are quite different from each other. Combined with the shiny resin ferrule, I suspect this to be a rehilted example.

Never the less a desirable example.

Best regards,
Willem

VANDOO · 18th December 2014, 10:05 PM

ITS A BEAUTY. I WOULD THINK IT IS LIKELY IN THE JIMPUL GROUP BUT I AM FAR FROM KNOWLEDGEABLE ENOUGH TO ADD MUCH. THE CARVING ON THE PANEL ON THE SCABBARD AND PERHAPS A GOOD PICTURE OF THE CARVING ON THE BACK OF THE HANDLE MAY BE OF HELP FOR THE EXPERTS TO PIN DOWN REGION AND TRIBE FOR YOU AS THEY ARE NOT THE USUAL DESIGN. I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED ONE OF THESE AND THIS ONE IS ESPECIALLY NICE. CONGRATULATIONS.

Sajen · 18th December 2014, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

Combined with the shiny resin ferrule, I suspect this to be a rehilted example.

Hello Willem,

could be that the old resin was broken or missing and that it is just a recent restore IMVHO. Just read again post #1 from Charles, it is like supposed.

Charles,

great sword, have watched the auction.

Regards,
Detlef

asomotif · 18th December 2014, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

could be that the old resin was broken or missing and that it is just a recent restore IMVHO. Just read again post #1 from Charles, it is like supposed.

That is indeed also possible.

Best regards,
Willem

CharlesS · 18th December 2014, 10:50 PM

Yes, I tried to restore the resin plug....and again, the name of it escapes me...to the width, thickness, color and patination of what remained of the original one. There was enough of it left to discern about what it would have originally looked like.

VVV · 19th December 2014, 12:32 PM

Hi Charles,

To me it looks like an Iban Tilang Kamarau (see Banks' article) with indications of a West Kalimantan (or close to the border in Sarawak) origin.
Why do you hesitate on this classification?

Michael

PS I agree with Willem about the possible later modifications.

CharlesS · 19th December 2014, 01:19 PM

Thanks for all the input guys!

Michael, what was throwing me off a bit was the "two stepped" end of the blade on my example. I did realize the "TK" was the best fit, but I suppose I was looking too hard for something exact.

VVV · 19th December 2014, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

[snip]
Michael, what was throwing me off a bit was the "two stepped" end of the blade on my example. I did realize the "TK" was the best fit, but I suppose I was looking too hard for something exact.

IMHO, at some point we have to stop our urge to find "sub-sub-categories" for classifications.

Michael

CharlesS · 19th December 2014, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

IMHO, at some point we have to stop our urge to find "sub-sub-categories" for classifications.

Michael

Yes....I am all for non-complication and making things more simple!!

VANDOO · 19th December 2014, 04:18 PM

I THREW UP MY HANDS AND GAVE UP LONG AGO WHEN WE MOVED FROM MANDAU OR PARANG ILANG.

18th December 2014, 06:00 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	I'd Like to Learn More About This Borneo Sword/Parang This sword was a recent Ebay purchase. I was very pleased to get it and once in hand it was an even more impressive piece. The blade does not seem to fit neatly into any of E. Banks blade categories in his Hoplology In Sarawak, and seems more like one of van Zonneveld's(Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago) jimpul variants (plate 165). I am hoping we'll get some more feedback on this form from our Borneo blades experts. The hilt is the largest one of its type I have seen from Borneo. While the blade is typical in length(19in.) and weight, the hilt is over 1.5inches wide at the end and over 4in. in circumference. It appears that one of the forward krowits has broken off. The patina and carving are impressive throughout. Rattan bands and hilt plug(can't remember the correct term!) have been restored. Dimensions: Overall: 27in. Blade Length: 19in. Width: 2in. at its widest point. Thickness: 3/8 in. at the forte. Attached Images Last edited by CharlesS; 18th December 2014 at 06:44 PM.

18th December 2014, 10:03 PM	#2
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,225	Hello Charles, This looks like (another) gayang to me. Te style of the carvings on scabbard and handel are quite different from each other. Combined with the shiny resin ferrule, I suspect this to be a rehilted example. Never the less a desirable example. Best regards, Willem

18th December 2014, 10:05 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	ITS A BEAUTY. I WOULD THINK IT IS LIKELY IN THE JIMPUL GROUP BUT I AM FAR FROM KNOWLEDGEABLE ENOUGH TO ADD MUCH. THE CARVING ON THE PANEL ON THE SCABBARD AND PERHAPS A GOOD PICTURE OF THE CARVING ON THE BACK OF THE HANDLE MAY BE OF HELP FOR THE EXPERTS TO PIN DOWN REGION AND TRIBE FOR YOU AS THEY ARE NOT THE USUAL DESIGN. I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED ONE OF THESE AND THIS ONE IS ESPECIALLY NICE. CONGRATULATIONS.

18th December 2014, 10:50 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Yes, I tried to restore the resin plug....and again, the name of it escapes me...to the width, thickness, color and patination of what remained of the original one. There was enough of it left to discern about what it would have originally looked like.

19th December 2014, 12:32 PM	#7
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Hi Charles, To me it looks like an Iban Tilang Kamarau (see Banks' article) with indications of a West Kalimantan (or close to the border in Sarawak) origin. Why do you hesitate on this classification? Michael PS I agree with Willem about the possible later modifications.

19th December 2014, 01:19 PM	#8
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Thanks for all the input guys! Michael, what was throwing me off a bit was the "two stepped" end of the blade on my example. I did realize the "TK" was the best fit, but I suppose I was looking too hard for something exact.

19th December 2014, 04:18 PM	#11
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I THREW UP MY HANDS AND GAVE UP LONG AGO WHEN WE MOVED FROM MANDAU OR PARANG ILANG.