Batak Sword - metal handle - More info?

Bill M · 27th December 2018, 10:22 AM

Though I have slown (slowed down) collecting, but was walking through a flea market and saw this Batak sword in a pile of junk. The seller offered a very low price and I took it home with me.

For your perusal and opinions?

ariel · 27th December 2018, 10:21 PM

Not my cup of tea, but both are undeniably very pretty.

shayde78 · 28th December 2018, 02:21 AM

Very nice...pretty enough to be your new avatar.

Bill M · 28th December 2018, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Not my cup of tea, but both are undeniably very pretty.

Thanks, Ariel. What are your favorites, maybe I might have one to post. Bill

Sajen · 4th January 2019, 02:34 PM

Hello Bill,

It's a kalasan from the Toba Bataks.

Regards,
Detlef

Bill M · 5th January 2019, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Bill,

It's a kalasan from the Toba Bataks.

Regards,
Detlef

Thank you Detlef. It is good to put a name to it!

It seems quite authentic. Your opinion?

kai · 5th January 2019, 12:36 AM

Hello Bill,

Blade stats would be great!

As in the companion thread I'd agree with this being clearly Toba style while steering away from calling it a kalasan.

If we go with the common collectors' terminology, I'd tend toward tagging this as a rather longish piso ni datu even if this stretches things a bit.

Age is tough to impossible to assess from pics. If pressed for a guesstimate, I'd tend towards the first half of 20th c. (or later).

Regards,
Kai

kai · 5th January 2019, 01:20 AM

Hello Bill,

I just saw that we crossed posts.

Quote:

Age is tough to impossible to assess from pics. If pressed for a guesstimate, I'd tend towards the first half of 20th c. (or later).

Maybe I'm a bit too cautious - the craftsmanship is above average for the period and warrants close study (the black painted scabbard may be a later "restoration" attempt...)

BTW, for a piece with resembling motifs cp. Fig. viii.16 in Sibeth & Carpenter (2007).

Regards,
Kai

Sajen · 5th January 2019, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill M

It seems quite authentic. Your opinion?

Yes Bill, I think as well that it's an authentic piece, would be glad to have such a Toba sword in my own collection. End of 19th to early 20th century would be my guess.

Regards,
Detlef

Marcokeris · 5th January 2019, 01:38 PM

very nice

Sajen · 5th January 2019, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

I'd agree with this being clearly Toba style while steering away from calling it a kalasan.

If we go with the common collectors' terminology, I'd tend toward tagging this as a rather longish piso ni datu even if this stretches things a bit.

Hello Kai,

yes agree with you that it isn't correct to call it kalasan, piso ni datu would be a better description.

Regards,
Detlef

CharlesS · 6th January 2019, 02:07 PM

What is the material covering the scabbard...tar/paint/resin of some sort? I am surprised it also extends to the fittings.

Bill M · 6th January 2019, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

What is the material covering the scabbard...tar/paint/resin of some sort? I am surprised it also extends to the fittings.

I will have a closer look. I usually try to keep 'em like I find 'em. But stop rust or degradation. I have over cleaned in the past.

27th December 2018, 10:22 AM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Batak Sword - metal handle - More info? Though I have slown (slowed down) collecting, but was walking through a flea market and saw this Batak sword in a pile of junk. The seller offered a very low price and I took it home with me. For your perusal and opinions? Attached Images

27th December 2018, 10:21 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Not my cup of tea, but both are undeniably very pretty.

28th December 2018, 02:21 AM	#3
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	Very nice...pretty enough to be your new avatar.

4th January 2019, 02:34 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Hello Bill, It's a kalasan from the Toba Bataks. Regards, Detlef

5th January 2019, 12:36 AM	#7
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Hello Bill, Blade stats would be great! As in the companion thread I'd agree with this being clearly Toba style while steering away from calling it a kalasan. If we go with the common collectors' terminology, I'd tend toward tagging this as a rather longish piso ni datu even if this stretches things a bit. Age is tough to impossible to assess from pics. If pressed for a guesstimate, I'd tend towards the first half of 20th c. (or later). Regards, Kai

5th January 2019, 01:38 PM	#10
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	very nice

6th January 2019, 02:07 PM	#12
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	What is the material covering the scabbard...tar/paint/resin of some sort? I am surprised it also extends to the fittings.