Correctly Identifying a Borneo Sword

[Maurice]

A Very Nice TK Charles!
I would classify this as a Tilang Kemarau also, based on Banks.
But if I was really an expert, I could tell you exactly the differences on all aspects between a "Tilang Kemarau" and a "Suai".
As I do have some ideas about it, I'm not sure about them!
But maybe nobody can tell the exact differences between those two, so we're only driven students of the few in the "top level"?

The blade looks very nice! I myself have the feeling that the blade is the oldest on the TK. It looks to me that the handle and the scabbard could be later and might be from the same date.
Michael described the hypothetis on the handle allready, which I agree upon.
I think the scabbard looks too perfect, and this in combination with the patina made me have this assumption of being also later.
Could we have a close-up of the carvings on the scabbard?

Maurice

[Maurice]

PS. I also realise that I have to be very carefull with my statements.
So I want to emphasize that it's sometimes very hard.
Though I stick to my earlier post, it's not a matter of course!
Also old pieces can have shallow carvings in the handle.
And also very old pieces can be in a too perfect state and with no or little patina when it's collected very early and since than stored at some attic or closet.

I have one with somewhat similar features considering the state and patina. Though the carvings are not very deep (besides of the big curls and the carving on top of the handle which comes out of the handle 3dimensional), the patina isn't that great one should suspect, but it is an old style handle.
PS. It's ex-Paul Vermeire and later ex-Coppens (though not depicted in the Coppens book).

I would love to see the carvings on your scabbard closely Charles!


Maurice

[VVV]

Originally Posted by Maurice

snip
But if I was really an expert, I could tell you exactly the differences on all aspects between a "Tilang Kemarau" and a "Suai".
As I do have some ideas about it, I'm not sure about them!
But maybe nobody can tell the exact differences between those two, so we're only driven students of the few in the "top level"? snip
Maurice

Yes, let us avoid the term Suai until we have more criteria than just one uncommented picture.
The same with some other, more regional, Iban terms for the same category of a parang...

Michael

PS Suai is an Iban village so I suspect that the label is geographic, instead of being another category of parang.

[CharlesS]

Maurice,

Here are some additional pics of the carving. Let us know what you learn from them.

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Maurice,

Here are some additional pics of the carving. Let us know what you learn from them.

Thank you Charles for the close ups.

I have the feeling the handle and scabbard are from the same age.
There are a lot of similarities to be found, and they look like they belong together.
As the leeches and other motifs (circles etc.) are not uncommon on handles and scabbards of that area, the combination of some of them on the handle and on the scabbard are a good match.
For instance the little "impellers" (marked with a red square in image 1) on the handle we can also see in the scabbard.
And there are other marks which I also marked with different colours.
I hope you're not color-blind

Maurice

[Albert]

Interesting: this leech(?) looks very much like a korambi!!
Actually, I think it is a korambi.
I don't recall, I have ever seen it before on a Borneo swordhilt.

[CharlesS]

Albert you have great eyes....that surely does look like a korambi!

[VVV]

Quite unusual, indeed.
However, if it is a korambi then it is an additional indicator of a later date of the hilt.

Michael

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by VVV

PS Suai is an Iban village so I suspect that the label is geographic, instead of being another category of parang.

Just noticed your note!
So probably a TK found in Suai.... Could be an explanation...

maurice

[T. Koch]

Hi guys,

I'm doing a bump here, because I've recently stumbled across swords of this type and this thread is the first place that i hear the term tilang kamaru. Could any of you please post the 'Banks' and 'Baltimore' references in their full? I'd love to read them!

- thanks in advance!


All the best, - Thor

[VVV]

Hi Thor,

If you bought lot 7180 at your local auction house today the blade is a TK.
(Its hilt, however, seems to be an odd combo?).

The article is E Bank. 1935. Hoplology in Sarawak, The Sarawak Museum Journal, IV (14): 229-241.

Good luck and please post the pictures later.

Michael

[T. Koch]

Hi Michael,

Touche! I've recently been massacred by a couple of nasty bills, and It's been a while since I've had any additions. This however, was an extremely cool gift from my even cooler mom in law.

Thank you so much for the reference, looking forward to checking it out.


Take care, - Thor

[VVV]

Originally Posted by T. Koch

Hi Michael,

Touche! I've recently been massacred by a couple of nasty bills, and It's been a while since I've had any additions. This however, was an extremely cool gift from my even cooler mom in law.

Thank you so much for the reference, looking forward to checking it out.


Take care, - Thor

"Elementary, my dear Watson, elementary" (from the movie, not the books)

Cool mother in law you have found. I have never heard before about any "of those" buying swords for their sons in law.

Michael