Nias Balato charm ball size Q
 

I have several balatos. The charm ball on the scabbard are of varying size, but the latest one I have seems rather small.

Pictures below showed one with boar tusks and my latest with crocodile teeth on the ball.

The charm ball on the latter seems rather small. It is about 9.2 cm diameter compared with the one with boar tusks of 14.6 cm.

Is the one with crocodile teeth of normal size (within usual range) or it is just a balato made for " tourists" ?

Can anyone estimate the age of both.
(apologies for bad pics).

Green/nik

Maybe, but the patina looks old to me.

Small charm balls
 

Small charm balls are not unusual.
See the illustration of swords from South Nias.
Source: Modigliani, E. (1890) Un Viaggio a Nias.
Also published in: Zonneveld, A.G. van (2022) Traditionele wapens van Nias.

Congrats, Nik!

The small ball looks rather good to me, indeed. Some more close-ups would be good.

Estimating age on Nias swords is quite tricky. There certainly were made a lot of pieces for local use, especially in performances and many found their way to the western world as tourist souvenirs. Thus, top-end collectors tend to be conservative and rather err on the side of caution...

Could you please add pics from all 4 sides of the hilt and its top, too?

Do the scabbards appear to be made from the same type of wood/timber?

Regards,
Kai

Albert;

Many thanks for the info.

Kai;

Below are some additional pics from different angles.