Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Ian · 23rd August 2005, 09:06 PM

Lew:

Very nice piece, and nicely etched blade.

I agree with the comments about a "European" look to this sword which I would also call a golok, or perhaps a pedang. The "European" features in the guard and hilt are reminiscent of the hunting swords of Europe, and these are seen on Dutch Colonial pieces from Indonesia. We tend to forget that the Dutch did influence designs in edged weapons in their Indonesian colony, notably a few centers in Western Java (e.g., Tjikeroeh), and I have one of the TJIKR swords with a stag handle and cross guard with acorn finials that looks very similar to a 19th C. German hunting sword. Most of these Dutch Colonial pieces seem to date from the late 19th C. into the 1920s. I suspect this example is probably of similar age.

The scabbard seems to be a marriage. It seems too plain and utilitarian for this sword, and does not look especially Indonesian (Javanese) IMO -- more likely from Sumatra, Borneo or the Philippines.

Ian.

23rd August 2005, 09:06 PM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	Lew: Very nice piece, and nicely etched blade. I agree with the comments about a "European" look to this sword which I would also call a golok, or perhaps a pedang. The "European" features in the guard and hilt are reminiscent of the hunting swords of Europe, and these are seen on Dutch Colonial pieces from Indonesia. We tend to forget that the Dutch did influence designs in edged weapons in their Indonesian colony, notably a few centers in Western Java (e.g., Tjikeroeh), and I have one of the TJIKR swords with a stag handle and cross guard with acorn finials that looks very similar to a 19th C. German hunting sword. Most of these Dutch Colonial pieces seem to date from the late 19th C. into the 1920s. I suspect this example is probably of similar age. The scabbard seems to be a marriage. It seems too plain and utilitarian for this sword, and does not look especially Indonesian (Javanese) IMO -- more likely from Sumatra, Borneo or the Philippines. Ian. Last edited by Ian; 24th August 2005 at 08:36 AM.