Borneo Piso

Tim Simmons · 21st January 2009, 05:51 PM

19th century Sarawak having around 20% Malay population, I really have to press for more substantial information on the possible origin of an item like this.

Tim Simmons · 22nd January 2009, 06:06 PM

There is some debate as to the value of this carved antler handle especially as this form is not in the books and is in current use by the tourist industry today. Over the years I have learnt that the books are really only a guide. Most of my collection is not in the books perhaps that is why I could afford to buy them. I could also suggest that the current tourist industry form must surely have a point of origin, perhaps not fully appriecated, you know how conservative parts of the weapon collecting world can be.

I am a carver myself. You can see pleny of pride in this work, carved nooks and crannies lots of leechs. The Medusa type head on the end must have looked super before the damage. Why carve all that and then damage it? does not make sense to me. Why not fake it up complete and get a better price. I post these close up pics and every one will just have to make there own minds up. I think you know which way my mind is set.

Mytribalworld · 22nd January 2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

There is some debate as to the value of this carved antler handle especially as this form is not in the books and is in current use by the tourist industry today. Over the years I have learnt that the books are really only a guide. Most of my collection is not in the books perhaps that is why I could afford to buy them. I could also suggest that the current tourist industry form must surely have a point of origin, perhaps not fully appriecated, you know how conservative parts of the weapon collecting world can be.

I am a carver myself. You can see pleny of pride in this work, carved nooks and crannies lots of leechs. The Medusa type head on the end must have looked super before the damage. Why carve all that and then damage it? does not make sense to me. Why not fake it up complete and get a better price. I post these close up pics and every one will just have to make there own minds up. I think you know which way my mind is set.

Hi Tim,

Actually I don't think the whole item is a fake. Based on what I see on carving and damage , patina etc on the handle I think it was once a knob of a walking stick. Also dayak carvers made walking sticks. I don't think its antique but more from the 50 or 60's. If its was earlier the carving is mostly finer. The scabbard and blade are in my opinion added on Java or Bali.
The combination is certainly not matching.
The handle is surely not bad. Feel free to ask opinions in the future from me or other forumities before you trade/swap.
My advice, separate the handle and base it... But maybe that an easy advice as I am mandauhilt collector.But sometimes I like a handle more without blade than with.

on the place where the resin ring begins the horn seems to be in two pieces?

Arjan.

Tim Simmons · 22nd January 2009, 08:08 PM

Thank you, your comments are in the least encouraging. I still cannot see why it is not what it is. Given that Sarawak was a mixing pot. Nobody has suggested or produced anything that in any way distracts from what it appears to be. A short sword

.

Tim Simmons · 22nd January 2009, 08:49 PM

Giving up for today I can only assume that this is a reletively rare. Rather like the mauser thing.

Tim Simmons · 25th January 2009, 05:55 PM

Yep its a dud. Doing more investigation I have disscovered that the blade has been set into the handle with melted plastic from a washing up bowl or something similar. So I got my arse well and truely kicked.

Tim Simmons · 29th January 2009, 08:38 PM

Something from the Borneo wars. British soldiers in remote parts of Sabah and Sarawak. Tribesmen putting modern things to use? Lets look at this agian when does this form of hilt appear? I cannot see the handle as bad work. Is it possible as suggested before that as time moves on forms do change. Does that mean they are fake?

22nd January 2009, 06:06 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	There is some debate as to the value of this carved antler handle especially as this form is not in the books and is in current use by the tourist industry today. Over the years I have learnt that the books are really only a guide. Most of my collection is not in the books perhaps that is why I could afford to buy them. I could also suggest that the current tourist industry form must surely have a point of origin, perhaps not fully appriecated, you know how conservative parts of the weapon collecting world can be. I am a carver myself. You can see pleny of pride in this work, carved nooks and crannies lots of leechs. The Medusa type head on the end must have looked super before the damage. Why carve all that and then damage it? does not make sense to me. Why not fake it up complete and get a better price. I post these close up pics and every one will just have to make there own minds up. I think you know which way my mind is set. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 22nd January 2009 at 06:43 PM. Reason: Spelling

22nd January 2009, 08:08 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Thank you, your comments are in the least encouraging. I still cannot see why it is not what it is. Given that Sarawak was a mixing pot. Nobody has suggested or produced anything that in any way distracts from what it appears to be. A short sword . Last edited by Tim Simmons; 22nd January 2009 at 08:23 PM. Reason: Spelling

21st January 2009, 05:51 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	19th century Sarawak having around 20% Malay population, I really have to press for more substantial information on the possible origin of an item like this.

22nd January 2009, 08:49 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Giving up for today I can only assume that this is a reletively rare. Rather like the mauser thing.

25th January 2009, 05:55 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Yep its a dud. Doing more investigation I have disscovered that the blade has been set into the handle with melted plastic from a washing up bowl or something similar. So I got my arse well and truely kicked.

29th January 2009, 08:38 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Something from the Borneo wars. British soldiers in remote parts of Sabah and Sarawak. Tribesmen putting modern things to use? Lets look at this agian when does this form of hilt appear? I cannot see the handle as bad work. Is it possible as suggested before that as time moves on forms do change. Does that mean they are fake?