Dayak parang

DaveS · 17th July 2007, 03:23 AM

David: Congratulations on a great find. Of all the mandaus we own, we definitely have not seen a better example of handle carving. While i'm not sure if it's Iban, i think it's probably no later than 1930 or 40 at the latest. I seem to recall that one book i read from a man who traveled through Borneo in 1879, that he stated that each man owned three or four mandaus, possibly depending on his status. I can't seem to find this book right now, i'll have to look for it later. Nevertheless, you have the best mandau handle that we have ever seen...................Dave.

Dajak · 17th July 2007, 04:10 AM

Hi David it is 100% sure no Iban can you make some close up pics off the Handle also where the brass is connected to the Handle and below the handle and blade.
The blade looks old .

Ben

David · 17th July 2007, 04:33 AM

Thanks Dave, Ben and Barry for your responses.
Ben, i will try to do some more pics tomorrow evening, but i won't be able to get any more shots up for a couple of days.
BTW, the brass isn't very well connected to the hilt at all. I did a quick re-wrap before i photographed it and frankly i do not know whether the brass ring belongs at the top or bottom of the wire wrap. It seemed to make most amount of sense at the top. When i have time i would like to do a better restoration job on the wrappping.

asomotif · 18th July 2007, 09:48 AM

Dear David,

This is a strange combination.
The general form of the handle looks like examples that can be found on the finest of jimpuls.
But the blade is not a Jimpul, and the handle shows all kind of motifs, but nothing that one would expect.
Also the small metal pins that are in the handle is something I have never seen before.

But than again, personally I think that people from Borneo are open to influences from outside borneo and maybe this carver was inspired by foreign motifs. It must have been a skillful carver for sure.

But the odd motifs make it difficult to give it a place and date.

Never the less, good choice to take this home from the antique mall

David · 18th July 2007, 03:32 PM

Yes, i have never seen metal pins in one of these hilts either. I was hoping that might be a clue to its origin. Thanks for commenting.
Given the size and shape of the blade does anyone care to put a more definitive name to this form, or are we best off just referring to it as a parang.

asomotif · 18th July 2007, 03:42 PM

Dear David,

The blade is a mandau. (is assume the blade is concave/convex ie. hollow grind on the other side of the blade)

Simple blades with the rather blunt point often are pretty old.
pre 1900 is possible. (see enclosed pic of my koetei mandau)

So who knows what other forumites may come up with on the hilt.

David · 18th July 2007, 03:51 PM

Mandau it is then. It is a concave/convex form. The blade definitely gives me the feeling it may be 19th C.

18th July 2007, 03:42 PM	#6
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,235	Dear David, The blade is a mandau. (is assume the blade is concave/convex ie. hollow grind on the other side of the blade) Simple blades with the rather blunt point often are pretty old. pre 1900 is possible. (see enclosed pic of my koetei mandau) So who knows what other forumites may come up with on the hilt. Attached Images

17th July 2007, 03:23 AM	#1
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	David: Congratulations on a great find. Of all the mandaus we own, we definitely have not seen a better example of handle carving. While i'm not sure if it's Iban, i think it's probably no later than 1930 or 40 at the latest. I seem to recall that one book i read from a man who traveled through Borneo in 1879, that he stated that each man owned three or four mandaus, possibly depending on his status. I can't seem to find this book right now, i'll have to look for it later. Nevertheless, you have the best mandau handle that we have ever seen...................Dave.

17th July 2007, 04:10 AM	#2
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi David it is 100% sure no Iban can you make some close up pics off the Handle also where the brass is connected to the Handle and below the handle and blade. The blade looks old . Ben

17th July 2007, 04:33 AM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,229	Thanks Dave, Ben and Barry for your responses. Ben, i will try to do some more pics tomorrow evening, but i won't be able to get any more shots up for a couple of days. BTW, the brass isn't very well connected to the hilt at all. I did a quick re-wrap before i photographed it and frankly i do not know whether the brass ring belongs at the top or bottom of the wire wrap. It seemed to make most amount of sense at the top. When i have time i would like to do a better restoration job on the wrappping.

18th July 2007, 09:48 AM	#4
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,235	Dear David, This is a strange combination. The general form of the handle looks like examples that can be found on the finest of jimpuls. But the blade is not a Jimpul, and the handle shows all kind of motifs, but nothing that one would expect. Also the small metal pins that are in the handle is something I have never seen before. But than again, personally I think that people from Borneo are open to influences from outside borneo and maybe this carver was inspired by foreign motifs. It must have been a skillful carver for sure. But the odd motifs make it difficult to give it a place and date. Never the less, good choice to take this home from the antique mall

18th July 2007, 03:32 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,229	Yes, i have never seen metal pins in one of these hilts either. I was hoping that might be a clue to its origin. Thanks for commenting. Given the size and shape of the blade does anyone care to put a more definitive name to this form, or are we best off just referring to it as a parang.

18th July 2007, 03:51 PM	#7
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,229	Mandau it is then. It is a concave/convex form. The blade definitely gives me the feeling it may be 19th C.