A Lovely and Interesting Malay Sword

RSWORD · 2nd July 2017, 07:03 PM

If you are going to dub the blade "50 shades of gray" perhaps you should blindfold the lion to bring it all in line!

In all seriousness this is a very lovely sword. The lion head looks very European and I wonder if there is some cross pollination going on there?

Battara · 2nd July 2017, 07:15 PM

I LOVE THE PAMOR!

Yes the part does look like swassa to me as well.

What a great piece!

kai · 2nd July 2017, 08:29 PM

Hello Charles,

I'm with Rick: The lion does look European - possibly recycled knob from a colonial walking stick?

The pedang should be northern Malay: probably Kelantan or the greater Pattani region. I have a pedang with similar blade shape and typical northern Malay Makara pommel. Will try to post pics...

Regards,
Kai

Victrix · 2nd July 2017, 10:35 PM

Lion with scales... Merlion, or Singa-Laut in Malay. Mythical creature with lion's head and body of a fish.
Picture below is of famous statue in Singapore.

CharlesS · 3rd July 2017, 01:06 AM

Thanks Victrix....great contribution!!!

Here is an article on the 'Merlion' and its association with Singapore, both ancient and new. It brings together many of the elements already mentioned here, including RSword's reference to its European look.

Very interesting article....

https://web.archive.org/web/20140910...t%2Fhtml%2F326

Ian · 3rd July 2017, 02:06 AM

Charles, when I first looked at the pics I thought, like you, that there may be an Indian influence. That, in turn, made me think of Singapore where there is a large Indian ex-pat population (almost 10% counting permanent residents--mostly Tamils, with Tamil as the nation's third official language along with English and Mandarin). Given subsequent comments about the hilt and a possible Singapore link, I think we are getting close.

Ian

CharlesS · 3rd July 2017, 11:22 AM

I agree Ian, and good point!

2nd July 2017, 10:35 PM	#4
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 755	Lion with scales... Merlion, or Singa-Laut in Malay. Mythical creature with lion's head and body of a fish. Picture below is of famous statue in Singapore. Attached Images

3rd July 2017, 01:06 AM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Thanks Victrix....great contribution!!! Here is an article on the 'Merlion' and its association with Singapore, both ancient and new. It brings together many of the elements already mentioned here, including RSword's reference to its European look. Very interesting article.... https://web.archive.org/web/20140910...t%2Fhtml%2F326 Last edited by CharlesS; 3rd July 2017 at 01:18 AM.

3rd July 2017, 02:06 AM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Charles, when I first looked at the pics I thought, like you, that there may be an Indian influence. That, in turn, made me think of Singapore where there is a large Indian ex-pat population (almost 10% counting permanent residents--mostly Tamils, with Tamil as the nation's third official language along with English and Mandarin). Given subsequent comments about the hilt and a possible Singapore link, I think we are getting close. Ian Last edited by Ian; 3rd July 2017 at 02:19 AM.

2nd July 2017, 07:03 PM	#1
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,087	If you are going to dub the blade "50 shades of gray" perhaps you should blindfold the lion to bring it all in line! In all seriousness this is a very lovely sword. The lion head looks very European and I wonder if there is some cross pollination going on there?

2nd July 2017, 07:15 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	I LOVE THE PAMOR! Yes the part does look like swassa to me as well. What a great piece!

2nd July 2017, 08:29 PM	#3
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Charles, I'm with Rick: The lion does look European - possibly recycled knob from a colonial walking stick? The pedang should be northern Malay: probably Kelantan or the greater Pattani region. I have a pedang with similar blade shape and typical northern Malay Makara pommel. Will try to post pics... Regards, Kai

3rd July 2017, 11:22 AM	#7
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	I agree Ian, and good point!