Mandau
 

I recently received some objects from a friend who lived in Indonesia with her parents in the 70-80s. Her father traveled all over Indonesia for his work and regularly brought something home. Like these mandau's, quite small 65 and 63 cm. Both blades have a convex and a concave side. One blade is laminated steel with several fractures, faults, one over almost the entire length of the blade. Cutting on the handle reasonably good, especially the ivory piece. In both handles traces of where a coin once sat. Facinating objects but beyond my familiar knowledge. Made for those who travel, the real stuff, just let me know what you guys think.
Regards
Marc

More pictures.

Those swirls in that ivory hilt are lovely.

Congratulations Marc!

Very cool swords!
What is the diameter of the coin slot?

With respect,
Yuri.

Hi Yuri

About 15mm.

Regards
Marc

Marc there may have been a coin - Netherlands India 1/10 guilder. I have a Mandau that was also without a coin, I bought it online for a small amount of money.

See the thread:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=29680

With respect,
Yuri.

The real deal can be problematic . A sword made for dancing, once used to attack a person becomes real. WW2 era swords were used and Iban warriors in the UK Borneo 1963 -1966 dispute swords were used. These look nice but not sure they will impress the old guard.

I don't think that the hilt is carved from ivory. ;)

Nearly all swords are made to kill people! :eek:

Hi Detlef
It is ivory, the Schreger lines are clearly visible.
regards
Marc

Looks like elephant ivory to my eye. See the cross-hatched lines? I do think this is a bit unusual, which makes this mandau a bot special. Certainly not made for those that travel.

I agree with David on the cross hatching - elephant ivory

Is there any information about the production of ivory mandau handles in Borneo?

Never seen any. But Dayak weapons are only a minor interest for me so someone more invested in them might have better information. I only have one in my collection and it's hilt is deer horn. That is probably what the majority of hilts are made from and you will, of course, find wooden ones. I have read that on rare occasion human bone has been used, but i have never seen an example yet. I have never heard of ivory being used, but this very clearly looks like ivory to my eyes and it is certainly a traditional carving. So it seems to be a rarity to me.