UNUSUAL CARVED RAWIT KNIFE.
 

I was able to buy this unusual rawit knife.

The first time that I see an example with such elaborate carving.
Any suggestions as to origin and age ?

Best regards,
Willem

Hi Willem,

very nice piece. I think all rawit are from the Batak or I am wrong? A similar one is shown in Alberts book at page 113, it has as well this flattened scabbard and a similar hilt form.

Best,

Detlef

Hello Detlef,

I checked the forum and the web, but only found rawit with plain undecorated hilts. Indeed the flattened scabbard is very common and specific for the rawit.

funny, I did not check Albert's book yet (TWOIA)
Although the picture is very small, that specimen indeed also has a decorated hilt.

The decorated hilt was the main reason to post it.
It does not seem common on these batak weapons. also the floral pattern does not appear on other batak weapons as far as I recall.

Because I did not check Van Zonneveld yet I thought this was pretty rare.
Ps, it still is not common to have decoration on the hilt imho. 1 example in Van Zonneveld, and 1 here in front of me ;)

Maybe womeone has other examples with decorated hilts.

Ps. do you think that this one had a metal sleeve on the lower part of the hilt once ?

Best regards,
Willem

Hello Willem,

I don't think so. First, the patination at this part is the same as at the upper part of the hilt, second, it would be the first one I have seen until now with collar.

Best regards,

Detlef

Hi Detlef,

Based on the patina I also think there was no collar for a long time, but I would not say that this type of knife never has a collar.
Here 2 examples that are different in decoration, but surely batak and with collar.