Mysterious sword

Ian · 10th January 2020, 12:23 AM

Hello again Albert:

Good to see you back again with such an interesting sword. What speaks to me loudest about your sword and scabbard is the silver work. This looks very much mainland SE Asia to me. The heavy silver mounts on the hilt and throat/chape of the scabbard look like Shan work, with the use of twisted wire and curlicues (spirals, etc.). The manner in which the chape ends, with a flat toe slightly raised on the edges is also common to Shan work, as is the use of multiple silver bands spaced along the wooden sheath. That's high quality work on your example. I would not be surprised of the silver work post-dated the blade and hilt.

Whether one calls this a golok or klewang is somewhat moot I think, although the blade is short for a klewang it is the right shape. The hilt has some similarity to hulu iku ite in your book, and might suggest a Sumatran origin. The prominent and sharp down-turn of the hilt might suggest a Sulawesi origin too. My best guess is a Sumatran klewang with later "foreign" silver work added for prestige. However, you literally wrote the book on these swords and I definitely defer to your judgement.

Attached are pictures of a silver-wrapped dha and scabbard showing typical Shan silver work. Note the prominent use of silver wire and the ornamental motifs.

Thanks for showing this sword and I look forward to hearing the thoughts of others.

Ian

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Rick · 10th January 2020, 03:15 AM

Here is 'wire and button' decoration on the ferrule bands of a Philippine spear.

Ian · 10th January 2020, 01:27 PM

Good point Rick. Similar decorations to what you show are seen on the hilts of some 20th C gunong and Mindanao kris.

Sajen · 11th January 2020, 12:32 PM

Hello Albert,

Very, very interesting sword!

While hilt and blade let me direct think it's Sulawesi work I am more as confused by the silver fittings so I understand Ian's suggestion.

Maybe really an antique marriage?

Regards,
Detlef

Albert · 11th January 2020, 09:29 PM

Thank you all for your comment.
I hope others can give some additioal information to solve the mystery.

Kubur · 11th January 2020, 11:23 PM

I'm not an expert in this kind of sword...
But this silver wire work is called filigree and very common in many parts of the world.

CharlesS · 12th January 2020, 08:51 PM

I tend to agree with the above comments. I am fairly certain the fittings are much younger than the rest of the nice sword.

10th January 2020, 12:23 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,469	Hello again Albert: Good to see you back again with such an interesting sword. What speaks to me loudest about your sword and scabbard is the silver work. This looks very much mainland SE Asia to me. The heavy silver mounts on the hilt and throat/chape of the scabbard look like Shan work, with the use of twisted wire and curlicues (spirals, etc.). The manner in which the chape ends, with a flat toe slightly raised on the edges is also common to Shan work, as is the use of multiple silver bands spaced along the wooden sheath. That's high quality work on your example. I would not be surprised of the silver work post-dated the blade and hilt. Whether one calls this a golok or klewang is somewhat moot I think, although the blade is short for a klewang it is the right shape. The hilt has some similarity to hulu iku ite in your book, and might suggest a Sumatran origin. The prominent and sharp down-turn of the hilt might suggest a Sulawesi origin too. My best guess is a Sumatran klewang with later "foreign" silver work added for prestige. However, you literally wrote the book on these swords and I definitely defer to your judgement. Attached are pictures of a silver-wrapped dha and scabbard showing typical Shan silver work. Note the prominent use of silver wire and the ornamental motifs. Thanks for showing this sword and I look forward to hearing the thoughts of others. Ian . Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 10th January 2020 at 12:33 AM.

10th January 2020, 03:15 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,366	Here is 'wire and button' decoration on the ferrule bands of a Philippine spear. Attached Images

11th January 2020, 09:29 PM	#5
Albert Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 202	Additional information? Thank you all for your comment. I hope others can give some additioal information to solve the mystery.

10th January 2020, 01:27 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,469	Good point Rick. Similar decorations to what you show are seen on the hilts of some 20th C gunong and Mindanao kris.

11th January 2020, 12:32 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,320	Hello Albert, Very, very interesting sword! While hilt and blade let me direct think it's Sulawesi work I am more as confused by the silver fittings so I understand Ian's suggestion. Maybe really an antique marriage? Regards, Detlef

11th January 2020, 11:23 PM	#6
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	I'm not an expert in this kind of sword... But this silver wire work is called filigree and very common in many parts of the world.

12th January 2020, 08:51 PM	#7
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	I tend to agree with the above comments. I am fairly certain the fittings are much younger than the rest of the nice sword.