[johnrwatkin]

I purchased this parang (I will call it a parang because that is what the local Dayaks call it!) as one of a pair from a very close friend, a Chinese coffee-shop owner in Siniawan, Sarawak in Borneo in 1987. Lu had an impressive collection of artefacts and collectibles, purchased from the surrounding Bidayuh (Land Dayaks) and Iban (Sea Dayaks) longhouses. But Lu was over 80 years old when I knew him, and was having to reluctantly part with his collection to fund his retirement.

Lu let me have two parangs or Mandau.

This second Mandau is more simple – and possibly of a later date – than the previous one posted. It is in very good condition, has good blackened patina, a nicely carved scabbard, very fine associated split bamboo or woven fern fibre bindings, and a finely carved wooden hilt.

The hilt of the Mandau is of carved wood, with a tuft of hair implanted in the top. I am unsure of what the carved motifs are – a dragon’s head; boar’s head; leech motifs?

Plaited dark brown fern fibre of the has been used to lash the hilt or grip to the blade and to strap the wooden casing of the scabbard together.

The blade is not particularly heavy, is curved and single edged. It is smithed with piercing incised-work and fretwork and traces of engraving, but is not inlaid with any brass. The blade is 510mm long – the overall length of the Mandau, including hilt, is 640mm.

The scabbard is of two pieces of carved wood held together with fern and rattan binding. It is carved with Dayak motifs.

Can anybody shed any further light on my Mandau? Age? Rarity?