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Old 15th November 2021, 11:51 PM   #13
kai
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,254
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Hello Detlef,

Thanks for posting - that's an interesting riddle!


Quote:
I guess that it is a Long Glat mandau.
I assume you base this attribution on the hilt only? Nice carving and age!


The Long Glat were one of the last groups to perform traditional high-quality bladesmithing into the 20th century. Even if we assume this blade to be a functional user made from precious foreign steel without bells and whistles, I don't see any of the typical Long Glat features here. High quality Long Glat blades got traded pretty much over all of Borneo - maybe this is a trade from a coastal area though?


How well does the blade fit the scabbard? Nice, old scabbard with worn knots - a large bone plate of exuberant form missing at the damaged foot. Belt also looks genuinely old (and broken); less sure about the pouch.

Regards,
Kai
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