Batak Sword - metal handle - More info?

Sajen · 4th January 2019, 01:34 PM

Hello Bill,

It's a kalasan from the Toba Bataks.

Regards,
Detlef

Bill M · 4th January 2019, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Bill,

It's a kalasan from the Toba Bataks.

Regards,
Detlef

Thank you Detlef. It is good to put a name to it!

It seems quite authentic. Your opinion?

Sajen · 5th January 2019, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill M

It seems quite authentic. Your opinion?

Yes Bill, I think as well that it's an authentic piece, would be glad to have such a Toba sword in my own collection. End of 19th to early 20th century would be my guess.

Regards,
Detlef

Marcokeris · 5th January 2019, 12:38 PM

very nice

kai · 4th January 2019, 11:36 PM

Hello Bill,

Blade stats would be great!

As in the companion thread I'd agree with this being clearly Toba style while steering away from calling it a kalasan.

If we go with the common collectors' terminology, I'd tend toward tagging this as a rather longish piso ni datu even if this stretches things a bit.

Age is tough to impossible to assess from pics. If pressed for a guesstimate, I'd tend towards the first half of 20th c. (or later).

Regards,
Kai

kai · 5th January 2019, 12:20 AM

Hello Bill,

I just saw that we crossed posts.

Quote:

Age is tough to impossible to assess from pics. If pressed for a guesstimate, I'd tend towards the first half of 20th c. (or later).

Maybe I'm a bit too cautious - the craftsmanship is above average for the period and warrants close study (the black painted scabbard may be a later "restoration" attempt...)

BTW, for a piece with resembling motifs cp. Fig. viii.16 in Sibeth & Carpenter (2007).

Regards,
Kai

Sajen · 5th January 2019, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

I'd agree with this being clearly Toba style while steering away from calling it a kalasan.

If we go with the common collectors' terminology, I'd tend toward tagging this as a rather longish piso ni datu even if this stretches things a bit.

Hello Kai,

yes agree with you that it isn't correct to call it kalasan, piso ni datu would be a better description.

Regards,
Detlef

CharlesS · 6th January 2019, 01:07 PM

What is the material covering the scabbard...tar/paint/resin of some sort? I am surprised it also extends to the fittings.

Bill M · 6th January 2019, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

What is the material covering the scabbard...tar/paint/resin of some sort? I am surprised it also extends to the fittings.

I will have a closer look. I usually try to keep 'em like I find 'em. But stop rust or degradation. I have over cleaned in the past.

4th January 2019, 01:34 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,401	Hello Bill, It's a kalasan from the Toba Bataks. Regards, Detlef

5th January 2019, 12:38 PM	#4
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	very nice

4th January 2019, 11:36 PM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Bill, Blade stats would be great! As in the companion thread I'd agree with this being clearly Toba style while steering away from calling it a kalasan. If we go with the common collectors' terminology, I'd tend toward tagging this as a rather longish piso ni datu even if this stretches things a bit. Age is tough to impossible to assess from pics. If pressed for a guesstimate, I'd tend towards the first half of 20th c. (or later). Regards, Kai

6th January 2019, 01:07 PM	#8
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	What is the material covering the scabbard...tar/paint/resin of some sort? I am surprised it also extends to the fittings.