Bali knife, Info needed
 

Heavy bladed Balinese knife with typical silver inlay on one side and engraved 'dragon' on the other. Inserted steel edge visible, no scabbard sadly. Plain hilt of some kind of palm wood.
Can anyone tell me more?

It is a balinese wedung or like Alan G. Maisey write a "tiuk pengentas". Look this two threads where you can see very similar ones and as well some informations about this knifes: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=wedung,
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=wedung

Nice one what you own, congrats for this nice find.

Regards,

Detlef

Indeed it is
 

Indeed it is a Balinese Wedung. See Zonneveld pages 152 & 153.

A good solid piece with black palm woon handle. The steel in these Bali knives and the Kudi Tranchangs is awesome hard and sharp iron, the edges and hardness have always impressed me.

I believe the dragon to be Naga Banda, see the image attached below that I presented here;

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=Bali+museum

The protrusion to the top was noted by a friend viewing the forum as looking like the beak or Garuda, when viewing the second image from a play viewed in Bali, I tend to agree as the Naga Banda and Garuda were carried on their own floats during the funeral ceremony.


Gav

Detlef & Gav,

Thank you my friends.
I had looked for 'bali' and 'balinese' but didn't know that they were called Wedung, so couldn't find them amongst the threads about Keris.

The Funeral connection is a strange coincidence as my job is to arrange and conduct funeral services!

This one and Alans are very similar. Are they unusual?

Best wish and many thanks
Gene

Hi Gene,

not unusual but very expensive when very old and not so many times on the market. I think that your example isn't a very old one but I can be wrong by this.

Best regards,

Detlef

Hi Detlef,

Thanks :)
I found a very similar example on the net dated as 1890. I'd initially assumed that mine was mid 20thC before seeing that, but I guess it could be earlier. It seems to have some age, (based on the dark patina on the steel where it's been exposed like on the back/top of the blade where it wouldn't have been covered by the scabbard) Looks like the scabbard was with it until recently.
What do you think?
Best
Gene

Hi Gene,

the age estimation was done by the pictures and the knowledge that this knifes are still in use. I think that mid of 20th century is a good guess and it is also possible that it older. The sheaths cover the complete blade, look Zonneveld page 153. Nevermind, it is a very nice knife and I would be happy when it is in my collection! :D

Regards,

Detlef

LOL, thanks Detlef ;)

Yes a nice wedong - if you throw it in the trash, please let me rummage first! :D

Also I think these were used in ceremonies like this on in the picture of Rangda the Witch for the Rangda and Barong ceremonial dance:

LOL, thanks Jose!
Rangda is certainly someone I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley!!

Best
Gene