Mandau from Hornbill and Dragon exhibition

[kai]

Hello Nik,

Congrats, looks like an old and good hilt! Style is Modang which includes the coastal trading port Kutai. I believe the hair is a very recent "restoration" attempt (also evidenced by the light thread attaching it): genuine decor at this part should be really short hair; wait for the Borneo experts to support my opinion though. Good news is that it could easily be cut to the correct length and adding a touch of dye to the thread will make the restore appear more natural, too.

Engraved blades seem to be uncommon in this region - we'll need specialist help here. However, trading of blades is well known among Dayak groups.

The scabbard seems a bit rough - I posit that the wooden part is a later replacement as may be the side knife. The back pocket/decor shows age/wear and the correct style; also the belt of braided rattan is correct and likely genuinely old.

It's extremely rare to find a perfectly preserved mandau - all in all this seems like a pretty good catch.

Regards,
Kai