FINE SWORD, INDONESIA OR MALAYSIAN ?

Battara · 2nd October 2010, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maurice

The pedang with golden repoussed sleeve and plain suassa ferrule, and the scabbard with silver bands, must be original.

At first sight it looks a bit strange, the silver on the scabbard in combination with the gold and suassa on the handle, but the repousse floral motifs on the golden sleeve and other decorations are the same as on the silverwork of the scabbard....

You are right. This does sound strange at least to my non-Indonesian ears. So I guess that the above scabbard could be original after all. Interesting..........

I also assume that these pieces are rare?

CharlesS · 2nd October 2010, 02:31 AM

The pedang/parang/klewang type is not so rare, but the quality of this one certainly is!

Ron Anderson · 2nd October 2010, 03:48 AM

Thanks for that informed outline, Alan.

I do not claim to believe this is from Lombok, but was just commenting on the possibility, from my limited experience, and trying to establish the truth through dialogue. I am aware horn is used throughout Indonesia, so of course this does not indicate it is from Lombok per se. It is as you say, probably from Sumatra, for reasons you've outlined.

On a bit of a side point, Lombok may be a deprived backwater, nonetheless I have seen many items with a great deal of craftsmanship attributed to Lombok Island. However, not so much in the area of blade manufacture, as the blades seem relatively ordinary, but certainly in terms of the carving that comes from there, which is very distinctive, and rather different from most of the other islands, perhaps precisely because of the diversity of influences that you've mentioned.

In a sense you are right - Lombok is a bit of a backwater. Culturally, it is quite atavistic. The themes in their art are primitive, with a lot of animist influence. So it being a backwater is precisely why it is of interest. Their artefacts, other than these klewangs, also have their own particular flavour and feeling, which appeals to me anyway.

I will open a thread posting my Lombok horn hilts soon, for those who may be interested.

VANDOO · 2nd October 2010, 04:23 AM

I HAD OCASION TO VISIT THE SITE AGAIN AND WILL ADD THE TWO OTHER PICTURES. IT WAS LISTED AS INDONESIAN, BEHEADING SWORD, WOOD SCABBARD WITH HORN THROAT AND TIP, METEOR IRON BLADE AND WOOD HILT. THE PRICE WAS WELL BEYOND WHAT I WOULD PAY. I SUSPECT YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THE HANDLE BEING HORN AS SEVERAL OF THEIR COMMENTS IN THE LISTING WERE OFF.

Battara · 2nd October 2010, 04:51 AM

What site?

Gavin Nugent · 2nd October 2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

I HAD OCASION TO VISIT THE SITE AGAIN AND WILL ADD THE TWO OTHER PICTURES. IT WAS LISTED AS INDONESIAN, BEHEADING SWORD, WOOD SCABBARD WITH HORN THROAT AND TIP, METEOR IRON BLADE AND WOOD HILT. THE PRICE WAS WELL BEYOND WHAT I WOULD PAY. I SUSPECT YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THE HANDLE BEING HORN AS SEVERAL OF THEIR COMMENTS IN THE LISTING WERE OFF.

That Pamor and tip shape reminds me of the Dua Lanan I have here. These swords from Sulawesi also have simple horn fittings to the ends however this example above shows the throat shape of West Java and Sumatran, Zonneveld figures 557 & 558 for Java and 274, 397 for Sumatra which represents this example best in blade profile and scabbard in my opinion.

Gav

Marcokeris · 3rd October 2010, 07:08 PM

AWESOME

IMO: Sumatra or Jawa

Mytribalworld · 10th November 2010, 10:04 AM

just to note a curious fact about these gold/suasa handled swords.

normally these are quite scarce but I have spotted 4 of this kind in a few weeks

however well made it makes me a little concerned.

best regards and take care,

Arjan

2nd October 2010, 04:23 AM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I HAD OCASION TO VISIT THE SITE AGAIN AND WILL ADD THE TWO OTHER PICTURES. IT WAS LISTED AS INDONESIAN, BEHEADING SWORD, WOOD SCABBARD WITH HORN THROAT AND TIP, METEOR IRON BLADE AND WOOD HILT. THE PRICE WAS WELL BEYOND WHAT I WOULD PAY. I SUSPECT YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THE HANDLE BEING HORN AS SEVERAL OF THEIR COMMENTS IN THE LISTING WERE OFF. Attached Images

10th November 2010, 10:04 AM	#8
Mytribalworld Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 400	?????? just to note a curious fact about these gold/suasa handled swords. normally these are quite scarce but I have spotted 4 of this kind in a few weeks however well made it makes me a little concerned. best regards and take care, Arjan

2nd October 2010, 02:31 AM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	The pedang/parang/klewang type is not so rare, but the quality of this one certainly is!

2nd October 2010, 03:48 AM	#3
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Thanks for that informed outline, Alan. I do not claim to believe this is from Lombok, but was just commenting on the possibility, from my limited experience, and trying to establish the truth through dialogue. I am aware horn is used throughout Indonesia, so of course this does not indicate it is from Lombok per se. It is as you say, probably from Sumatra, for reasons you've outlined. On a bit of a side point, Lombok may be a deprived backwater, nonetheless I have seen many items with a great deal of craftsmanship attributed to Lombok Island. However, not so much in the area of blade manufacture, as the blades seem relatively ordinary, but certainly in terms of the carving that comes from there, which is very distinctive, and rather different from most of the other islands, perhaps precisely because of the diversity of influences that you've mentioned. In a sense you are right - Lombok is a bit of a backwater. Culturally, it is quite atavistic. The themes in their art are primitive, with a lot of animist influence. So it being a backwater is precisely why it is of interest. Their artefacts, other than these klewangs, also have their own particular flavour and feeling, which appeals to me anyway. I will open a thread posting my Lombok horn hilts soon, for those who may be interested.

2nd October 2010, 04:51 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,363	What site?

3rd October 2010, 07:08 PM	#7
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	AWESOME IMO: Sumatra or Jawa