Thumbs Up Mandau

[VVV]

Here is a mandau that lost some of its protrusions with the fun effect of that it now resembles a thumbs up sign.
What is also unusual with this mandau is the tumpal-motif on its back-side of the blade, which I never have seen before.

Michael

[CharlesS]

What region is this one from Michael? ...and how old do you think it is?

[VVV]

I guesstimate it is mid 19th C and from Sarawak.

Michael

[Dajak]

How thick is de blade?

Ben

[VVV]

It's 8 mm (1/3 inch).

Michael

[Dajak]

Are the dots one side?

Ben

[VVV]

Yes Ben,

They only go halfway through the blade (and are quite large, too).
This mandau was made for heavy use and is not a "parade sword".

Michael

[VANDOO]

IT DOES LOOK LIKE A GOOD OLD ONE AND PERHAPS COULD HAVE SEEN USE IN THE OLD TRADITIONAL WAY. THE THUMBS UP IS A FUNNY OBSERVATION AND THE LARGE WHITE DESIGN BESIDE IT EVEN RESEMBLES A THUMB. PERHAPS THIS TRIBE ONLY COLLECTED THUMBS INSTEAD OF HEADS LOTS EASIER TO CARRY WHILE RUNNING THRU THE JUNGLE ON THE WAY HOME WITH A ANGRY TRIBE'S WARRIORS IN HOT PURSUIT. IMAGINATION AND A SENSE OF HUMOR IS PART OF THE FUN OF COLLECTING. :D

[VVV]

:D

[Dajak]

Michael can you make an pic where you can see the dots .....

Ben

[VVV]

The purpose of showing this mandau here was 1) the funny handle and 2) the unique tumpal motif. The dots are nothing special on this mandau.
However, I will make close ups of them tomorrow and mail it to you for your files.

Michael

[asomotif]

What is also unusual with this mandau is the tumpal-motif on its back-side of the blade, which I never have seen before.

Michael

Interesting.
You see this motif so often on the scabbard near the scabbard mouth.
But this is indeed the first I see on a blade.

Best regards,
Willem