Help identify Klewang

[kai]

Hello Gustav,

I also believe this is a variant (with slightly more curved tip) of the blade published by Paravicini (1923; reproduced in AvZ, Fig. 295) which also belongs to the pengentas family of blades from Bali. IMVHO it is likely to also have been utilized in the funeral rites.

As I wrote, such overall shape of handle is found in many places in SEAsia. Important - it's faceted, and such feature is more likely distinctive for Sulawesi and West Java.

Faceted hilts are really rare (except for the quite different Sundanese gobang hilts). I'd love to see a close contender from anywhere in the archipelago!

Yet I don't think it's the appropriate handle for this blade.

Dominique, are there any signs that this blade has been rehilted?

We know that there is a variety of hilts (and blades) associated with the tiuk/blakas pengentas family of blades. Since this blade lends itself to hacking and possibly also pulling action, I reckon that a hilt which avoids slipping may help. Thus, it might be the function leading to an unusual hilt: Barring any new evidence to the contrary, I'd be inclined to believe that this hilt originated from Bali (or Lombok), too.

Regards,
Kai

[asomotif]

The construction of the ferrule gives me the impression that the ferrule is more recent than the handle and surely more recent than the blade.

Best regards,
Willem

[Gustav]

Hello Kai,

a somewhat similar handle is depicted in AvZ, page 89, as Matana knife.

[Gustav]

I had the same impression as Willem.

[A. G. Maisey]

The problem with the word "klewang, kelewang" is that it has a different meaning for collectors, especially collectors outside the area of origin of the klewang, than for native speakers of Malay, Bahasa Indonesia and Javanese.

In all three of these languages a klewang is defined as a sword, and in BI and Javanese it must be broad and curved. According to Wilkinson it was very much favoured by the people from Aceh.

But my understanding of the way in which collectors use the word is that it can be tagged onto just about any short, heavy tool/weapon used for chopping.

In respect of the item under discussion here, it is probably correctly termed "madhik". This is a very ancient Balinese tool/weapon:-

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21896

[Gustav]

Now there is another a little bit mysterious Bali-Sulawesi specimen, with similar handle -

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?p=187966

Blade looks Balinese, sheath - Sulawesi. Handle isn't really faceted, but close.

Now has somebody a "Matana knife" in he's collection?

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What leads me to think the handle (of our "Mardhik") isn't original is the way blade is mounted to it - at the very upper part; the handle looks to big.

Or has somebody seen such handles on Bali? That would make things easier.

[A. G. Maisey]

Actually Gustav, to me, the entire thing looks Javanese, the hilt, the hand work, the pamor and especially the kembang kacang --- something I've only ever seen on things other than keris in a Javanese context.

I only know of the mardhik as a tool now, but it is obvious that it had a weapon function in old Bali.

If I had to make a guess on geographic point of origin, I'd probably give it as "possibly East Jawa". It would be a guess.

I tend to agree that the hilt is an addition, I doubt very much that it is original to this blade.

[David]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

The problem with the word "klewang, kelewang" is that it has a different meaning for collectors, especially collectors outside the area of origin of the klewang, than for native speakers of Malay, Bahasa Indonesia and Javanese.

In all three of these languages a klewang is defined as a sword, and in BI and Javanese it must be broad and curved. According to Wilkinson it was very much favoured by the people from Aceh.

But my understanding of the way in which collectors use the word is that it can be tagged onto just about any short, heavy tool/weapon used for chopping.

In respect of the item under discussion here, it is probably correctly termed "madhik". This is a very ancient Balinese tool/weapon:-

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21896

Thanks Alan. That is very helpful information.

[Gustav]

Alan, regarding KK I agree. On other hand, till now I never have seen such a groove on something Wedhung-like outside of Bali.

Another place, which comes into mind seeing such anomalies, is Lombok (which Kai mentioned). On page 339 in "Keris di Lombok" there are pictures of spearheads of similar bent shape, one, perhaps two of them (the picture quality is terrible) most likely with back groove. On page before a Golok, which isn't bent, yet otherwise has perhaps the closest blade shape, with back groove too.

This object in question so obviously doesn't fit in any parameters, that it almost seems to be made to rise curiosity (and perhaps its price).