Thumbs Up Mandau
 

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

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

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

Michael

How thick is de blade?

Ben

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

Michael

Are the dots one side?

Ben

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

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

:D

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

Ben

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

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