Piso Podang Batak or Borneo?

[erikscollectables]

Hi Rasdan,

Unfortunately the screw in the cup in mine is gone so that does not help. The design on the crosspiece of yours is like a leaf or something else organic. I have a Batak one with almost the same design which is done in brass. The ornamentation of the cup is new to me - I have not seen it before. Indeed very interesting! I have added a picture of mine - this is the one with a VOC marked blade by the way.

Erik

Originally Posted by rasdan

Hello all,

Thank you very much for the pointers VVV! Have heard of the word, but I don't know this is the one and I never noticed that in Gardner's book.

The one that CharlesS have is marvellous! Never seen one with a locally forged blade before.

Here's the photos of my chenangkas. The repair at the end of the sheath is recent. I think the main difference with Borneo and Batak ones is probably the cup design. Also the screw in the cup is flush with the cup egde compared to the slightly longer screw in Sumatran ones.

The plating at mid section of the hilt had worn off, and the white metal can be seen.

[rasdan]

Hi Erik,

Actually the screw and cup thing is just my quick theory. I don't really study these weapons to really tell the difference. Cool one you have there. I love how the hilt's crosspiece flares out giving it a majestic look. Somehow, I think your second one here is Malay, but who knows?

[erikscollectables]

This photo is quite famous. Titled the radja of Dolok and his followers.
He is a Batak ruler with his helpers and his weapons of state. In the middle the Leming Radja of which I own several. To the far right a Podang.
The story was that the podand could respresent a ruler - it was sent by ship to other rulers to represent himself - or so the story goes....

[erikscollectables]

Based on the background of the 3 I have they all should be Batak but indeed who knows, nice theme to do some further research....

Originally Posted by rasdan

Hi Erik,

Actually the screw and cup thing is just my quick theory. I don't really study these weapons to really tell the difference. Cool one you have there. I love how the hilt's crosspiece flares out giving it a majestic look. Somehow, I think your second one here is Malay, but who knows?

[VVV]

I have 2 and have had another 2 of the straight ones and none with a screw like you describe?
I haven't seen any pictures with a Batak carrying a chenangkas so I suspect that they are all Malay, maybe originating from Malacca (Portuguese and Indian influences)?

Michael

[Norman McCormick]

Hi Guys,
Can you post some stats on the straight blades you have. Just wondering about the possible Indian influences, see attached photo of an Indian sword of mine with a not dissimilar blade profile.
Regards,
Norman.

[VVV]

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi Guys,
Can you post some stats on the straight blades you have. Just wondering about the possible Indian influences, see attached photo of an Indian sword of mine with a not dissimilar blade profile.
Regards,
Norman.

What kind of stats do you want?
Please tell us some more about your Indian blade?

Michael

[erikscollectables]

I'll do some researching in the Dutch museums and see if they have any straight ones....They certainly are far more rare than the curved ones.

Originally Posted by VVV

I have 2 and have had another 2 of the straight ones and none with a screw like you describe?
I haven't seen any pictures with a Batak carrying a chenangkas so I suspect that they are all Malay, maybe originating from Malacca (Portuguese and Indian influences)?

Michael

[VVV]

Originally Posted by erikscollectables

I'll do some researching in the Dutch museums and see if they have any straight ones....They certainly are far more rare than the curved ones.

There are a few at Leiden (of course). But it's not sure that they really are made by the Bataks.

Michael

[erikscollectables]

There was a lot of trade between these locations so it will be hard to tell which was made where. All three I have came from old to very old Dutch collections that were only linked to Sumatra not one of the other places.....so most probably that is the location they were found at.

Originally Posted by VVV

There are a few at Leiden (of course). But it's not sure that they really are made by the Bataks.

Michael

[rasdan]

G'day VVV,

I had attached a picture of the cup assembly. The screw is strange, it is not solid, it has some kind of resin in it. I don't know why they would do this whole complicated things when they can just cast the entire hilt like other hilts. (Is it? Sorry for my ignorance) Probably to fix the blade?

I think actually everybody used to manufacture this sort of sword. Since there's a lot of similarity, we can't really say which is which..