Is This a Badik/Badek??
 

I picked up this nice, but unusual, Indonesian dagger last week. My first thought was that it was a badek/badik from Sumatra, but it has just enough unusual features that technically it may not be that at all, so I would love any feedback or opinions. It is the hilt style and curvature that is especially intriguing, and makes me lean away from this being a true badik.

The hilt is ivory with a swasa ferrule. The blade is pamor steel. The scabbard is gilted brass over wood. The blade is 10in., and the piece is 15in. overall.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Very nice find.
I would definately say badek. But Sumatra ?
Might well be from outside Sumatra.
The scabbard makes me think of Bugis pendoks on keris...

Hullo Charles,

Outside my area I'm afraid. But the shape of the blade, handle & sheath reminds me more of a Sumateran Laduk; can even stretch it to a Sumateran Pisau Raut. Anyway, you may wish to check it out for yourself. Hope I've helped.

Best,

My hunch, based on the top part of the scabbard and the grip shape, is that it's Bugis from South Sulawesi.
But overall I haven't seen anything resembling before?

Michael

It is a badek. Nice piece, although I have my doubts about the hilt. Attached to the blade it fits perdect in the scabbard. But if you look how it is attached to the blade, it is not how it should be. In my opinion the hilt is a later addition, but not very properly done.

I don t think this is from Sumatra looks like this is malaysian .



Ben

A beautiful find! Makes me wonder if other examples are also gilded brass instead of gold, for example, in some of these museums.

Wow! Where do you find this stuff, Charles?

Simple he has a time machine! ;) :D



Lew

Here is a reference badek from South Sulawesi.
Note the similarity in the top part of the scabbard and the angle of the hilt.
Henk has a point on the attachment of the hilt.

Michael

Thanks guys.

Thanks for the pic VVV...looks just about identical stylistically.

The blade and hilt are an odd fit. The ferrule and hilt have obviously been together a long time. For some reason I think the blade is the later addition.

I can see why you say that and you may be right, although these never seemed to be great fits anyway. :shrug: