Another kayan mandau

Sajen · 30th June 2009, 04:56 PM

Very nice worked blade, congrats!

sajen

David · 30th June 2009, 05:59 PM

So what about this blade makes it "old style"?
I am also a bit curious about material choices for mandau hilts. It seems that most of the time antler or bone is the choice material, but we do see wood ones like this occasionally that are obviously nicely carved and not a cheep tourist item. Is there some reason the maker would choose wood over antler when antler seems to be the status quo?

Mytribalworld · 30th June 2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

So what about this blade makes it "old style"?
I am also a bit curious about material choices for mandau hilts. It seems that most of the time antler or bone is the choice material, but we do see wood ones like this occasionally that are obviously nicely carved and not a cheep tourist item. Is there some reason the maker would choose wood over antler when antler seems to be the status quo?

Hi David,

I can only guess but maybe because some hilt shapes are a little difficult to realize in horn. the carver is limited in size and model if he carves his hilt from horn.The shape of the piece of horn is of course the base for the hiltmodel and I can imagine that the hilt of Maurice's mandau wich is a old Kajan style is difficult to carve from a piece of horn
In those old hilts is the sidebranch in an angle of 90 degrees but mostly the angle of a deerhorn branch is 60-70 degrees.

Also mostly woodenhilts are bigger whats not possible in horn mostly.

I don't know if I'm rigth but I may be an explanation.

Arjan

Emanuel · 30th June 2009, 06:32 PM

I find it very interesting that, while carved in wood, the hilt nonetheless mimics the structure of a bone handle. An analogy comes to mind, with early Greek temples. Stone architectural details (metopes, triglyphs, etc...) were derived from the earlier structural wooden joinery. The material changed, but appearance was maintained out of convention, even when no longer functional or natural.

I imagine the choice of handle material was also subject to availability. Much easier to use a material that's readily at hand, than go out and hunt or stockpile material for future use

.

Thoughts...

On another note, nice blade

I've been puzzled by the abundance of crowits. Some of the new/touristy examples that have been shown on this forum and that pop up on ebay sometimes have lots of them.

30th June 2009, 04:56 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,327	Very nice worked blade, congrats! sajen

30th June 2009, 05:59 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,237	So what about this blade makes it "old style"? I am also a bit curious about material choices for mandau hilts. It seems that most of the time antler or bone is the choice material, but we do see wood ones like this occasionally that are obviously nicely carved and not a cheep tourist item. Is there some reason the maker would choose wood over antler when antler seems to be the status quo?

30th June 2009, 06:32 PM	#4
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	I find it very interesting that, while carved in wood, the hilt nonetheless mimics the structure of a bone handle. An analogy comes to mind, with early Greek temples. Stone architectural details (metopes, triglyphs, etc...) were derived from the earlier structural wooden joinery. The material changed, but appearance was maintained out of convention, even when no longer functional or natural. I imagine the choice of handle material was also subject to availability. Much easier to use a material that's readily at hand, than go out and hunt or stockpile material for future use . Thoughts... On another note, nice blade I've been puzzled by the abundance of crowits. Some of the new/touristy examples that have been shown on this forum and that pop up on ebay sometimes have lots of them.