Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


1103 - Indonesian Badek with Wooden Hilt having a Silver Ferrule and Wooden Sheath

The single edged blade is beveled on each side symmetrically and expands from its narrowest width of 0.7 inch (1.8 cm) near the hilt to a maximum of 1.6 inches (4.1 cm) just shy of halfway to the tip. The back is very slightly convex while the edge shows a prominent 'belly' as measured above. The 8 7/8 inch (22.5 cm) blade shows dark areas and brighter areas with tool marks from manufacture or later burnishing. There are multiple patches of old dark discoloration and mild pitting and in some cases curving lines suggestive of boundaries of water damage. Also noted are a few forging flaws that remain tightly closed. The 'tiger-stripe' wooden hilt is set off by a silver ferrule, and turns in the direction of the edge at about an 80 degree angle. The end of the hilt terminates angled toward the edge. Overall length of the badek, measured parallel to the back of the blade, is just over 11½ inches (29.2 cm) with a weight of 7.5 ounces (212 grams). A darker wooden scabbard composed of two sides accommodates the badek and features a widened, scrolled area at the mouth. The scabbard halves are bound together by a blackened metal band with floral decoration. It appears that another band was once present just above the foot at the end of the scabbard. Within the sheath, the length is just under 13 inches (33 cm) with an overall weight of 10 2/3 ounces (303 grams).


Indonesian Badek

Indonesian Badek

Indonesian Badek

Indonesian Badek

Indonesian Badek



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