Rencong

[kai]

Hello Martin,

I know now Rencong Gayo area with saruek ulat. I had from Erik a collector from the Netherlands that he once had a klewang type weapon from Gayo that had similar decoration.

Yeah, Erik's Luju Alang is a neat piece that went to Bronbeek.

BTW, the saruek ulat is not limited to Gayo origins. It is also commonly found with Luju/Sikin Lapan Sagi which is from Aceh proper, too.

Regards,
Kai

[Pendita65]

Hi Kai,

thank your for the extra info, i will have a look for these places, I just ordered the 1912 edition from: Volz, Wilhelm: Nord-Sumatra. Band II: Die Gajoländer. And it is on it's way from Berlin. Will take some pictures later today when i am home. The Rencong fits like a hand in a glove and it is the scabard that belongs to it. When my aquintance is back from Indonesia, i will ask him where he got the Rencong from so maybe i find out more.

Regards,

Martin

[Pendita65]

Hi Kai,

i also found a Luju Alang on pinterest no description further or where the picture came from but it has a sleeve with similarities with the rencong.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Pendita65

i also found a Sikin Panjang on pinterest no description further or where the picture came from but it has a sleeve with similarities with the rencong.

Hi Martin,

Handle sleeves are common with North Sumatran weapons, see for example a co jang from my collection or two of the rencongs I've shown.
So is also the sleeve by the sikin panjang you found on the net rather plain but embossed (I guess) while your rencong has a crown like sleeve in combination with a plain sleeve. I guess that the plain sleeve on your rencong is from suassa and the saruek ulat "crown" could be gold. So my guess is also that the handle is from a sort of (marine) ivory. Can you please post a clearer pic by daylight?

Regards,
Detlef

[Pendita65]

Hi Detlef and Kai,
Just took pictures with a loud and daylight lamp.
And I truly believe it is Horn as it is soft to the teeth and ivory is hard

Regards,

Martin

[Sajen]

Hi Martin,

Thank you for the pics! Handle material could be wood when I look at the attached picture.

Regards,
Detlef

[Pendita65]

Hi Detlef,

i won't scrape the patina with a scalpel to find out, but i am allmost certain it's horn.

whenever your in Amsterdam your welcome and i show it to you.

Regards,

Martin