[CharlesS]

Many of you know that I am fascinated by "cross-cultural" pieces, especially those showing characteristics of different aspects of weaponry from the far reaches of the Islamic world.

This is one of the most interesting ones I have found in some time. It is an Indonesian parang, likely from Java, made with an Ottoman yataghan blade!!!

I have to imagine that this is for a person of status. Originally the blade was washed in the traditional Indo-Malay manner with arsenic, which in this case had actually done some damage to the blade, which is why I removed it, for a less corrosive etchant.

The characteristics of the yataghan blade are quite clear, with a a raised false bolster that would likely have been covered on a traditional yat, and cartouches to both sides of the blade.

The fittings are of excellent quality in a decent grade of silver, and very finely worked. The chape's tip has a very Indian look about it. There is an inscription to the top for the guard, and I am wondering if anyone can make out the language and message???? Thanks for any help in that regard.

For a person of status a sword blade from so far away must have seemed quite exotic, and while a recurved yat blade is not too far removed from an Indonesian tusuk style, its shape would have been right at home in the Indonesian arsenal.

Input and comments welcomed.