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View Full Version : A new two-volume publication about Indonesian blades from Karel Sirag


Sajen
18th September 2025, 06:48 PM
There is a new two-volume publication on the market, "Drawing The Sword" from Karel Sirag, not cheap but heavy books and worth buying when you are interested in Indonesian blades. The first volume is about Sumatra, Java and Madura, the second volume is about Bali, Lombok, Nusa Tenggara, Moluccas, Sulawesi and Borneo.
With some pride I can say that some of my blades are shown there as well, especially my Halmahera blades.

Sajen
18th September 2025, 06:58 PM
Here are the pages 782/783 (sec. volume) with swords from Halmahera and the originals.

A short side note, the semarang on page 782, pic B, isn't from last quarter of the 20th century but around 50 until 70 years older. ;)

werecow
18th September 2025, 10:30 PM
I see that there is a presentation of this book at Mandarin Mansion in Haarlem on the 27th. Is anyone going there? It would be nice to meet some fellow collectors in person.

Sajen
19th September 2025, 09:06 AM
I see that there is a presentation of this book at Mandarin Mansion in Haarlem on the 27th. Is anyone going there? It would be nice to meet some fellow collectors in person.

It would be a long drive for me, but maybe.

Albert
19th September 2025, 08:27 PM
I am going. Look forward to the presentation.

Green
22nd September 2025, 03:35 AM
Hello

Where can I buy this book?

Nik

DaveA
24th September 2025, 03:53 PM
Who is publishing the book?

Maurice
24th September 2025, 05:15 PM
An absolutely masterpiece!

https://www.ethnographicartbooks.com/books/DRAWING-THE-SWORD-AN-ILLUSTRATED-SURVEY-OF-INDONESIAN-EDGED-WEAPONS-2-Volumes_Sirag-Karel.htm

Ian
24th September 2025, 10:20 PM
This thread properly belongs in Swap and I am moving it there. Reviews of this book are permitted in the Ethno Forum but not links to the sale site (although such information is very useful of course). You will not have access to discuss the book when it is in the Swap Forum. Only the creator of the thread (sajen) and Moderators can do that.

Sajen
25th September 2025, 10:44 AM
Hi Ian,

I would suggest that you seperate the the thread when possible, that would open the possibility to discuss the books further.
I extra have sent Green by pm the same link like Maurice has provided to avoid that the thread gets moved to the swap forum. ;)

Regards,
Detlef