Piso Podang Batak Toba

centurion · 30th May 2019, 07:15 AM

I was looking for a piso podang for some time.

I acquired this one a couple of days ago, it is a Batak Toba piso podang, according to the figure with the hat.

centurion · 30th May 2019, 04:19 PM

Additional details with better photos

Battara · 30th May 2019, 05:56 PM

Nice and complete example. The hilt and fittings look to be bronze.

Congratulations! Was wondering if the blade is European.

centurion · 31st May 2019, 12:54 AM

The fittings and hilt are actually brass, they are just with a lot of patina.

Patterns of the fittings decorations are very similar to Batak smoking pipes that were in use end of 19c-beginning of 20c.

There is a similar sword for sale on a Malaysian website, and that one was collected in Sumatra the late 40s of the 20th century, according to the seller.

The blade looks like a pamor type, I suppose it is imported from Java island. I added a close-up of the blade.

Rick · 31st May 2019, 01:43 AM

All this bronze casting makes me ask; is this piece for 'show' or for 'go'?
It would seem to be a bit of a heavy ensemble with a bronze scabbard, not to mention the metal on metal wear on the edge whereas most swords from these regions tend to have wood scabbards.

This just does not look like a fighting sword to me.

centurion · 31st May 2019, 02:58 AM

The fittings on the scabbard are from brass, not bronze. The scabbard itself is wooden. The whole sword with scabbard is 1,1 kg and without scabbard 700gr.
The blade is 57cm, the sword without scabbard 74, with scabbard 78cm.

It is for sure a show-off piece of a person of high status. However, the blade is in very good condition, sharp and can be used for attack or defence.

Battara · 31st May 2019, 04:14 AM

I figured that it was for high status wear.

centurion · 2nd June 2019, 06:30 AM

Similar pieces from the Batak museum in Lake Toba and from Sotheby`s auction.

30th May 2019, 07:15 AM	#1
centurion Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 18	Piso Podang Batak Toba I was looking for a piso podang for some time. I acquired this one a couple of days ago, it is a Batak Toba piso podang, according to the figure with the hat. Attached Images

30th May 2019, 04:19 PM	#2
centurion Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 18	Additional details with better photos Attached Images

31st May 2019, 12:54 AM	#4
centurion Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 18	The fittings and hilt are actually brass, they are just with a lot of patina. Patterns of the fittings decorations are very similar to Batak smoking pipes that were in use end of 19c-beginning of 20c. There is a similar sword for sale on a Malaysian website, and that one was collected in Sumatra the late 40s of the 20th century, according to the seller. The blade looks like a pamor type, I suppose it is imported from Java island. I added a close-up of the blade. Attached Images

31st May 2019, 01:43 AM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,290	All this bronze casting makes me ask; is this piece for 'show' or for 'go'? It would seem to be a bit of a heavy ensemble with a bronze scabbard, not to mention the metal on metal wear on the edge whereas most swords from these regions tend to have wood scabbards. This just does not look like a fighting sword to me. Attached Images Last edited by Rick; 31st May 2019 at 02:07 AM.

31st May 2019, 02:58 AM	#6
centurion Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 18	The fittings on the scabbard are from brass, not bronze. The scabbard itself is wooden. The whole sword with scabbard is 1,1 kg and without scabbard 700gr. The blade is 57cm, the sword without scabbard 74, with scabbard 78cm. It is for sure a show-off piece of a person of high status. However, the blade is in very good condition, sharp and can be used for attack or defence. Last edited by centurion; 31st May 2019 at 08:51 AM.

30th May 2019, 05:56 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Nice and complete example. The hilt and fittings look to be bronze. Congratulations! Was wondering if the blade is European.

31st May 2019, 04:14 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I figured that it was for high status wear.

2nd June 2019, 06:30 AM	#8
centurion Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 18	Similar pieces from the Batak museum in Lake Toba and from Sotheby`s auction. Attached Images