Badek or Badik from Celebes open for discussion

[kai]

Hello Gustav,

La Mello almost certainly is a Buginese name. Such are given also to honored weapons - La Sippo, La Makkawa.

Yes, seems to be a fairly common name. Might point to the owner as well as to the badik. However, I don't think it was an established practise to write a name onto a badik scabbard. Maybe done by or for a collector?

It is quite possible this Badik was a heirloom.

A genuine badik with status dress will almost certainly be a family heirloom if made for an orang Bugis/Makassar/etc.

Regards,
Kai