ANYONE RECOGNISE THIS BLADE

A. G. Maisey · 23rd October 2008, 10:01 AM

David, my opinion is based not only upon pamor, nor upon finish, nor upon the handle style.

All these things could be Javanese or Balinese, or even Lombok. I don't think we could place them in Sumatera, or somewhere else in the Archipelago, but just on the appearance of the components, sure we could place them in several different places.

However, what we have is a definite European pattern in the blade. We know that it not at all unusual to find Javanese made blades, and even complete weapons that are interpretations of European blades and weapons.

We know that there was virtually no European influence in either Bali or Lombok prior to the early years of the 20th century; we know that until well into the 20th century Sumatera was mostly isolated towns separated by jungle. The other parts of what is now Indonesia were colonial outposts.

Only in Jawa was there a strong European presence, and the skilled craftsmen necessary to produce a weapon as refined as is this one.

Combine this European presence with the ability to produce, and this piece must come from Jawa, unless its elements point in different direction , and in this case they do not.

The hilt motif could perhaps be an attempted copy of a European motif also.

23rd October 2008, 10:01 AM	#9
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,019	David, my opinion is based not only upon pamor, nor upon finish, nor upon the handle style. All these things could be Javanese or Balinese, or even Lombok. I don't think we could place them in Sumatera, or somewhere else in the Archipelago, but just on the appearance of the components, sure we could place them in several different places. However, what we have is a definite European pattern in the blade. We know that it not at all unusual to find Javanese made blades, and even complete weapons that are interpretations of European blades and weapons. We know that there was virtually no European influence in either Bali or Lombok prior to the early years of the 20th century; we know that until well into the 20th century Sumatera was mostly isolated towns separated by jungle. The other parts of what is now Indonesia were colonial outposts. Only in Jawa was there a strong European presence, and the skilled craftsmen necessary to produce a weapon as refined as is this one. Combine this European presence with the ability to produce, and this piece must come from Jawa, unless its elements point in different direction , and in this case they do not. The hilt motif could perhaps be an attempted copy of a European motif also.