need opinion for mandau with Crude carved handle
 

It is the first time I see this type of handle with a so poor carving.
I need the opinion from the specialists.
Any comment on it will be welcome.

Best

Cerjak

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To my eyes it look like a more recent mandau, not for tourists but maybe for dance or a working tool. :shrug:

Regards,
Detlef

Hi Detlef,
Thank you for your comment ,My guess was the first half of 20th century but not later.
I would like to know if this one could be classified as an Ambang .
Best

Cerjak

Hi Cerjak,
pictures can cheat but my guess would have been mid to end of the 20th century. My guess is based by the lack of patina, the not deep carving at the scabbard and the blade quality. But I am far away from an expert for mandaus, so I am also not able to tell you if it's an ambang but it is good possible like I've mentioned in my previous post.

Best regards,
Detlef

My feeling is also 2nd half 20th century.

I'm not an expert on mandau either, but i have had a couple and do really like them. I would also agree with other who believe this one is post WWII and i would think more likely that later part of the 20th century. I am afraid that i disagree with Detlef and think this was more likely created for market than for indigenous Dayak use. The carvings are almost sketches. Even for just simple tools i would think that a Dayak would invest more effort into the design work on his carvings.
I am also wondering about the blade. You only shoe one side, which appears flat. Is the other side of the blade also flat, or is it concave?

Hi David

yes the blade is concave you could see it in the new pictures I 've just add ,also After cleaning the blade we can see many brass dots on the blade.

Best Cerjak