Balatos -- swords with balls

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by Dajak

Hi Bill why you don't take a few books that shows old Nias Warriors
first you can see on the pics that the size off the balls are a lot bigger
and look like basket's instead off balls
And on the old pics from before 1900 you will notice that they use tiger crocodile and shark teeth no pig teeth

Take a look in an museum data base

I think that is the point Cyclura99 wanna make knowledge is very important
than what somebody thinks is good that is why it is hard to see good quality these days there is a lot fake on the market todays and if people see to much off this stuf they think that is the good quality the prices for real old Nias sword is very high on the moment and almost not for sale but you can buy at the moment a lot off nias belato's whit no sign off use on the handle
and scabbard for cheap prices better get 1 real piece than maybe 5 fake one s that is the piont what Cyclura99 wants to tell

don't take it to personally

regards Ben

Ben,

Thank you for the well written response. You have a good attitude and are, of course, correct. Knowledge is very important.

Is a balato made for dance 50 years ago fake? One made 25 years ago, fake? One made for dance 200 years ago, fake? Was it made in a basement in California?

If the workmanship is good and you like it, so what?

And in some instances I do go for absolutely correct pieces. But often I get things I just like. I admit that I have only been collecting a few years. I don't have in-depth knowledge of a lot of areas. I buy what I like. I am the one who has to live with them.

I have a few books and am willing and ready to buy more. I like "Nias Tribal Treasures." Can you recommend others? Museums? I am planning a jaunt to Indonesia and Malaysia. Where can I learn more?

I also have an issue of National Geographics that has some early Nias pictures. I like the armor also.

A good friend and exceptionally knowledgable dealer in California had a wonderful Nias armor, shield, Balato, etc that he sold as an ensemble. Unfortunately he had just sold it when I found out about it. I would have bought it. Neat setup. Great display!

My issue with Chris / Cy is his belligerent attitude. I never claimed anything about these balatos except I like the ones I have. Never made an age claim. Never said they were used for dance, war, headhunting, or chopping lettuce.

I just said that I like them. If he dosen't like them I suggest that he move on down the salad bar until he finds something that he does like. But I don't think it is proper to criticise like he just did in an open forum.

Private email is more appropriate,

One of mine came from Artzi Yoram of Oriental Arms, very respected dealer. Artzi said it was "early 20th or late 19th c. I don't know much about Chris, but under the circumstances I'd take Artzi's provenance. Artzi has been around longer than most of us and really knows his pieces. He is also a gentleman and a dear friend. His prices are fair.

Maybe my Balato are are more recent, so what? I like them.

I have seen one that Chris now has in his collection at the Skinners Auction in Boston. If I had wanted it, it would be now in my collection. It sold for $1500 or so. It was a nice piece, but no real juice to me. Possibly more authentic than mine, I don't know. I will not say bad things about it. It looked OK to me.

IF Chris knows so much, share it with the rest of us. It is easy to say, "I know more than you, but I don't need to tell it."

All I am suggesting is that he put his information on the Forum. Share the knowledge.

And relax a little. Life is too short to use a lot of capital letters.