[Green]

Hi;

I'm new here and in fact this is my first post.

I recently bought these two balatos from Medan Indonesia and would appreciate comments about them. From reading several threads and many corresponding comments about balatos in this forum, I'm beginning to be less excited about my purchase now.

I'm a complete novice about balatos, but what won me over these two are the well carved hilts. The balls on the scabbards were obviously made of wood and I'd like to get the forumers comment particularly about the following:-

1) are these balatos meant for tourists? (tourist trap?), ceremonial balatos for dancing , or real balatos used for fighting in the old days?

2) overall they look quite old to me (possibly early 20th C?), are they?

3) can real balatos' balls also be made of wood... or , all wood balls fakes?

4) would love to see pics of good balato balls

Many thanks in advance for comments (sorry for rather poor pics).