Indonesian Riddle - Who knows what this is?

[erikscollectables]

Here some detail from one side

[erikscollectables]

one detail of the other side

[fearn]

Hi Erik,

Neat blade! Someone really wanted magic in their sword, given all that talismanic writing they etched into it.

I have my guesses, but I'll let the Indonesian guys make a definitive diagnosis. It would be an unusual item for Bali. Most (but not all) of the script and symbolism on the side is Arabic, which suggests strongly that it came from a Muslim island. Bali is Hindu.

Best,

F

[erikscollectables]

Originally Posted by fearn

Hi Erik,

Neat blade! Someone really wanted magic in their sword, given all that talismanic writing they etched into it.

I have my guesses, but I'll let the Indonesian guys make a definitive diagnosis. It would be an unusual item for Bali. Most (but not all) of the script and symbolism on the side is Arabic, which suggests strongly that it came from a Muslim island. Bali is Hindu.

Best,

F

Totally agree with the Bali remark - I was directing at the decorations in between only. Just added to the first post a translation I received from another forumite.

Regards, Erik

[Sajen]

Hello Erik,

the blade look from the shape like a Mandau blade, but only from the shape. There is no concave/convex at the blade. Anyway, my guess that this is a Borneo blade. Maybe a Banjarmasin sword? It is also possible that the golden and silverinlays from different times, the golden inlays seems to be hindu, see the hindu cross.
Let us see what the experts will tell. BTW, very interesting and nice blade!

sajen

[erikscollectables]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Erik,

the blade look from the shape like a Mandau blade, but only from the shape. There is no concave/convex at the blade. Anyway, my guess that this is a Borneo blade. Maybe a Banjarmasin sword? It is also possible that the golden and silverinlays from different times, the golden inlays seems to be hindu, see the hindu cross.
Let us see what the experts will tell. BTW, very interesting and nice blade!

sajen

Interesting remark about the different period with the inlays - there does seem to be a difference in workmanship too.

[David]

Well, i don't know about anyone else, but it sure is a weapon i would want in my collection.
I have to agree that the swastika design seems to be Hindu while there are obvious references to Islam as well in the silver so the to inlays may have been done at different times.

[fearn]

Looking at it some more, I'm not so sure that the writings were done at two different times. Basically, the design layout is too unified, and I don't see evidence that one artist scraped off the design of another in order to make room for his design, which the artist would need to, given that the Hindu and Muslim motifs are mixed..

What I'd suggest is that the blade might in fact be talismanic in some way. Since magical objects often blend faiths (at least in Europe), I think the combination of Muslim and Hindu religious symbology may have been deliberate. The individual motifs may have even been done by different artists, but there was a single design overall, and the blade decorations were put together all at once.

Perhaps it has been rehilted, too?

Best,

F

[erikscollectables]

Originally Posted by David

Well, i don't know about anyone else, but it sure is a weapon i would want in my collection.

Thanks, that is what I thought also the first time I saw it and it took me a long time to get it