and yeah kronk I definitely intend to start sharing my stuff here with you guys, as you can help me understand the true age, area of creation and intention behind creation of many of my artifacts. the fun of collecting for me is mostly in the learning about the cultures and the history around them; I have already bought pretty much all the books I can find on old borneo religions, missionary reports and stuff like that-- I am sure it is a similar pull to most collectors of a chosen category
when I first saw the dha with brass, I actually thought it was a blade turned backwards with the tip becoming the "rat tail" for the dha, and the sword broken off at the tang-- but I am pretty sure this was forged in SE asia for the local market, just really well.
very glad to be here and to start posting, was afraid I messed up earlier just realized that it needed to be ok'd by mod
I will continue to share my mandau and other artifacts here, as time allows, huzzah.
few more objects
1. a really well balanced mandau missing most of its decorations, but the steel is still very fine, the double fullers and the work on the end make it one I really enjoy, though It lacks the art of many of the more complete sets-- would love opinions on actual time and place for this one-- I picked it up from fagan ( I hope it is ok to tell whom I purchased these from as I consider most if not all of them worthy of advertisement, my collection is largely possible because dealers let me pay over time
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2. ebay win, I feel I really under paid for this, maybe I over paid, but I think it is an authentic mandau, the grip has flowers and leeches theme, the blade looks solidly made with good steel-- would love any thoughts on this as well, as I feel like I really have a good one here, just under dressed.
3. I saw these up at akaal arms and simply fell in love immediately, they are so strange, and almost a union of all my favorite collecting areas! dha+parang= very cool swords; 1906 coins in the grips, seller guesses the blades are kora influenced, I think there is naga influence, please any ideas are welcome on origin ; small note is that one is built thicker, and a bit longer, slightly heavier; my guess is blades meant for right and left hand.
4. I won this off of ebay, I bid against a fellow forum member I am sure, but I just had to have this one, and my luck was that it was missing a pisau, but I did have a very high quality one that looked as if it was made for it, and now they are a full set-- no full set pictures yet but I am organizing collection for insurance and will take new pictures soon.-- this is just a very fine blade all round, I love it , one of my highest quality mandau
5. My one and only kora fighting sword, purchased from erik's edge, steel looks almost crystalline though I know it is not wootz, it has a feel unlike my other blades in the character of its steel, not sure if it is the design of the blade or an actual high quality steel-- not as interested in this one's past, as I know it is a kora, and a bit off of my collecting target of head hunter blades.
continue to let me know what you think, and I will post additional pictures for anyone who wants-- I really love to finally be able to share my stuff here.