Javanese, Dayak....or els ?

Freddy · 5th August 2008, 07:09 PM

This weekend, I visited the huge antiques market in Bruges (Belgium). This is held three times a year (in July, August and September).

There's always something interesting to be found. This time, I found an old spear head. I'm trying to figure out where it comes from. According to my (humble) opinion it's Javanese. One of my friends, who knows something about Dayak, says it's from Borneo.

Perhaps someone on the forum can help clarify things.

I show the piece as I found it. The shaft was broken off quite some time ago. The blade is a bit rusty, but I see some 'pamor'. The part just below the blade is some plaited rattan (in excellent condition).

Total length is 57,5 cm. The blade measures 33,4 cm and is 2,4 cm at its widest part.

Last question : any suggestion as how I could clean this piece (if necessary)
?

Henk · 5th August 2008, 08:34 PM

Freddy,

I'm convinced this is a javanese tombak.

You could clean this blade exactly like a keris. With lemon or pineapple juice. I prefer lemon. And then re-etch it with warangan. Then the pamor wil show up very fresh again.

Bill M · 6th August 2008, 01:49 AM

Henk is right. Javanese tombak. Probably does have a nice pamor, I also see a little in the pictures. Not born in Borneo, maybe he was visiting?

VVV · 6th August 2008, 09:50 AM

Javanese tombak but on a non-Javanese mount is my impression.

Michael

5th August 2008, 07:09 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Javanese, Dayak....or else ? This weekend, I visited the huge antiques market in Bruges (Belgium). This is held three times a year (in July, August and September). There's always something interesting to be found. This time, I found an old spear head. I'm trying to figure out where it comes from. According to my (humble) opinion it's Javanese. One of my friends, who knows something about Dayak, says it's from Borneo. Perhaps someone on the forum can help clarify things. I show the piece as I found it. The shaft was broken off quite some time ago. The blade is a bit rusty, but I see some 'pamor'. The part just below the blade is some plaited rattan (in excellent condition). Total length is 57,5 cm. The blade measures 33,4 cm and is 2,4 cm at its widest part. Last question : any suggestion as how I could clean this piece (if necessary) ? Last edited by Freddy; 6th August 2008 at 11:09 AM.

5th August 2008, 08:34 PM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Freddy, I'm convinced this is a javanese tombak. You could clean this blade exactly like a keris. With lemon or pineapple juice. I prefer lemon. And then re-etch it with warangan. Then the pamor wil show up very fresh again.

6th August 2008, 01:49 AM	#3
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Henk is right. Javanese tombak. Probably does have a nice pamor, I also see a little in the pictures. Not born in Borneo, maybe he was visiting?

6th August 2008, 09:50 AM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Javanese tombak but on a non-Javanese mount is my impression. Michael