A Pedang for ID

[Tatyana Dianova]

A Pedang with a very unusual polychrome wood fittings has come my way. The motifs are a bird, a fish and a dragon. An old Pamor blade. It has a Bali/Lombok vibe, but I have never seen anything like this before. Maybe it is a vintage refurbushing of an old piece?

[Sajen]

Hello Tatyana,

An interesting pedang for sure! What I can say, the blade shape is typical for Lombok/Bali pedangs IMVHO. And I think that two parts of the three part metal sleeve of the handle are missing. I would guess that the scabbard isn't the first one as is the painting of the handle.
Anyway, a nice pendang. :cool:

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

And I think that two parts of the three part metal sleeve of the handle are missing.

For explanation what I mean.

[Tatyana Dianova]

Thank you very much for your insights, Detlef!
I think, you are right. The handle of the old sword was painted and it got the new scabbard, but the result is quite pleasing and artistically nice. The refitting was made some dozens of years ago, since the fittings have visible signs of wear.

[Sajen]

Thank you very much for your insights, Detlef!
I think, you are right. The handle of the old sword was painted and it got the new scabbard, but the result is quite pleasing and artistically nice. The refitting was made some dozens of years ago, since the fittings have visible signs of wear.

Hi Tatyana,

I would agree with you about the dating of the scabbard and painting. Can you see if the handle is from wood or horn?
A nice pedang anyway, I like it!

Regards,
Detlef

[Tatyana Dianova]

The handle is made from wood.
The carving on the top of the handle is probably a Garuda, as I have noticed today. It has a small bird "face" with a large feather crown. On the photos it is not so good visible, since it is a side view.
Does any of your handles have a bird character on them?

[Sajen]

I would say that it is a stylised Makara head instead of Garuda IMVHO.

By a few I can see with a little bit imagination a face in the carving.

Regards,
Detlef

[Tatyana Dianova]

The face on the hilt looks pretty much like the face of Garuda carving that I have.

[Tatyana Dianova]

The same bird with teeth on the Barong garments:

[Sajen]

The face on the hilt looks pretty much like the face of Garuda carving that I have.

Ah, now I understand! ;) No, not one of my pedang hilts show this feature. And I agree, it seems to be Garuda. Very nice! :cool:

Regards,
Detlef

[Rick]

A pedang with a very similar blade and a Garuda on the pommel.

[Tatyana Dianova]

Thank you Rick for your example!
Probably, the pommel on this type of Pedang swords always represents a Garuda? Just in most cases it is not so obvious.