question about Pisau Raut
 

This Pisau Raut belongs to a Long Glat ( Bahau ) mandau from the area of ​​the "upper Mahakam" in the early 20th century.
I'm curious if anyone can comment on the red and black straps that wrap around the hilt.
The red belts in particular do not seem to me to be something the dayaks could manufacture. It's not plastic because the tip of a red hot needle won't melt it.
Has anyone come across this before ?

Might be dyed bone. There are other pieces of bone on the hilt.

There are also plastics that do not melt (Duroplaste - I don't know the english word)

Best regards Peter

Hello Godfried,

This pisau raut looks familiar. Is it in your collection ?

I have seen the red rings before, but at the time did not think about the material.

Best regards,
Willem

Yes. I bought it in 2021 in combination with a Mandau at an auction in The Hague

Godfried, does this knife seem to have been made in concert with the Mandau it accompanies? Is this red material used anywhere on the Mandau? Can we see the Mandau and sheath as well?

I don't know if the mandau was made at the same time as the Pisau. I read that in many cases the sword was handed in/sold without the pisau, which they kept for their own use.