Stumbled upon a mandau.
 

Went to my uncle and aunt’s for dinner and hanging on the wall above the piano was a mandau. He had picked it up approx 40 years ago in his travels. There is no sheath and an amethyst is missing from the handle. It also looks like a chip is missing from the handle around the remaining amethyst. I’ve taken some photos and was wondering if you all could possibly shed some light on where it might be from and possible age?. Many thanks

As far as I know, these pieces did not originally have stones in them but hair. This amethyst looks to be a later addition.

Nice piece however. Blade could use a little polish.

thanks for the info. I was going to enquire as to recommended cleaning process for the blade as it has a few rust spots. Was thinking it might be able to go into the pineapple juice process which I am going to use for my other blades that I won recently at auction (when I get a spare chunk of time).

Looks like a nine one. I also agree that the amethyst does not belong in there and was added later after collection.

[QUOTE=imas560]...Was thinking it might be able to go into the pineapple juice process...QUOTE]

Please, no pineapple juice on a mandau :eek: . Its not a keris..
And this blade looks still very good. clean it with 00 or 0000 steelwool and a little bit of oil. I am sure that you will be satisfied with the overall appearance.

The stone is a later addition. I recommend to remove the remaining one also if possible.

As for the origin. kayan/kenyah south east Borneo :shrug:
Correct me if someone has a better or more specific view on that.
Age : early 20th century (again imho)

Best regards,
Willem

I am in agreement with Willem, don't clean the blade with a acid bath, the blade will have after this a rough surface. Of course you can polish this out but better clean the blade like Willem described. I have cleaned a rusty Mandau blade in this way and the result was very good.

Regards,

Detlef

Thanks for the info everyone. Apologies re thought of pineapple juice, complete noob to restoration and care, that's why I thought I'd ask for advice. After the steel wool and oil any thoughts on an application of renaissance wax?.
Also any recommendations for cleaning up the handle? or just leave it alone?

You can wax the blade but a good oil will be ok as well. The handle look clean and I can't see any dirt. Just remove the stone carefully and leave it alone. Don't remove any patina from the handle. But Willem has a lot more knowledge by this than I am, so wait what he will give you at advise.

Best regards,

Detlef

Hello Imas,

The stag/antler looks in good condition and no need to clean it in my opnion.

The rottan binding around the handle looks a little dry.
In those cases I apply a little bit of antiq wax (on a bee's wax bassis)
I apply it gently and not to much with a soft toothbrush.
I try to avoid using cloth on the rottan binding, because if very dry sometimes little broken pieces rottan tend to stick out. and with a cloth they get caught in the textile causing these pieces to break off.

The damar (resin) ring looks pretty good.
You can of course apply some wax, but normally there is not much to do about them when they are intact.

Could you make some additional picture of the handle of the carving on the back and maybe a picture to see if there is a face as in the parang face gallery :)

Ps. Read the start of the thread again. Hmmm.. I wish I had such an Uncle and Aunt ;)

[QUOTE=asomotif]I totally agree with the treatment, for the origin I think more to the north
not south east. The carving is however based on the model what we call generally a Modang ( Kutai area) but the way of carving and the use of some ornaments is like they use in the north.
I see some gearwheel/star like ornaments that are typical for that area.
the blade looks like Kenya with some Dusun influence.

thanks for showing ! I think its time to visit my uncle also.... :p

Arjan

Hello all,
some additional pictures of the handle.

Try not to stumble upon a mandau; it could be really painful, and isn't good for the sword, either :D
Nice sword!