A new two-volume publication about Indonesian blades from Karel Sirag

Sajen · 18th September 2025, 06:48 PM

There is a new two-volume publication on the market, "Drawing The Sword" from Karel Sirag, not cheap but heavy books and worth buying when you are interested in Indonesian blades. The first volume is about Sumatra, Java and Madura, the second volume is about Bali, Lombok, Nusa Tenggara, Moluccas, Sulawesi and Borneo.
With some pride I can say that some of my blades are shown there as well, especially my Halmahera blades.

Sajen · 18th September 2025, 06:58 PM

Here are the pages 782/783 (sec. volume) with swords from Halmahera and the originals.

A short side note, the semarang on page 782, pic B, isn't from last quarter of the 20th century but around 50 until 70 years older.

werecow · 18th September 2025, 10:30 PM

I see that there is a presentation of this book at Mandarin Mansion in Haarlem on the 27th. Is anyone going there? It would be nice to meet some fellow collectors in person.

Sajen · 19th September 2025, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by werecow

I see that there is a presentation of this book at Mandarin Mansion in Haarlem on the 27th. Is anyone going there? It would be nice to meet some fellow collectors in person.

It would be a long drive for me, but maybe.

Albert · 19th September 2025, 08:27 PM

I am going. Look forward to the presentation.

Green · 22nd September 2025, 03:35 AM

Hello

Where can I buy this book?

Nik

DaveA · Yesterday, 03:53 PM

Who is publishing the book?

Maurice · Yesterday, 05:15 PM

An absolutely masterpiece!

https://www.ethnographicartbooks.com...irag-Karel.htm

Ian · Yesterday, 10:20 PM

This thread properly belongs in Swap and I am moving it there. Reviews of this book are permitted in the Ethno Forum but not links to the sale site (although such information is very useful of course). You will not have access to discuss the book when it is in the Swap Forum. Only the creator of the thread (sajen) and Moderators can do that.

Sajen · Today, 10:44 AM

Hi Ian,

I would suggest that you seperate the the thread when possible, that would open the possibility to discuss the books further.
I extra have sent Green by pm the same link like Maurice has provided to avoid that the thread gets moved to the swap forum.

Regards,
Detlef

18th September 2025, 06:48 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,348	A new two-volume publication about Indonesian blades from Karel Sirag There is a new two-volume publication on the market, "Drawing The Sword" from Karel Sirag, not cheap but heavy books and worth buying when you are interested in Indonesian blades. The first volume is about Sumatra, Java and Madura, the second volume is about Bali, Lombok, Nusa Tenggara, Moluccas, Sulawesi and Borneo. With some pride I can say that some of my blades are shown there as well, especially my Halmahera blades. Attached Images

18th September 2025, 06:58 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,348	Here are the pages 782/783 (sec. volume) with swords from Halmahera and the originals. A short side note, the semarang on page 782, pic B, isn't from last quarter of the 20th century but around 50 until 70 years older. Attached Images

19th September 2025, 08:27 PM	#5
Albert Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 204	Drawing the Sword I am going. Look forward to the presentation.

Yesterday, 03:53 PM	#7
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 428	Book? Who is publishing the book?

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18th September 2025, 10:30 PM	#3
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 609	I see that there is a presentation of this book at Mandarin Mansion in Haarlem on the 27th. Is anyone going there? It would be nice to meet some fellow collectors in person.

22nd September 2025, 03:35 AM	#6
Green Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Malaysia Posts: 324	Hello Where can I buy this book? Nik

Yesterday, 05:15 PM	#8
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,462	An absolutely masterpiece! https://www.ethnographicartbooks.com...irag-Karel.htm

Yesterday, 10:20 PM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,475	This thread properly belongs in Swap and I am moving it there. Reviews of this book are permitted in the Ethno Forum but not links to the sale site (although such information is very useful of course). You will not have access to discuss the book when it is in the Swap Forum. Only the creator of the thread (sajen) and Moderators can do that.

Today, 10:44 AM	#10
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,348	Hi Ian, I would suggest that you seperate the the thread when possible, that would open the possibility to discuss the books further. I extra have sent Green by pm the same link like Maurice has provided to avoid that the thread gets moved to the swap forum. Regards, Detlef