BATAK OR BORNEO ???

[Dajak]

that is right Michael but not only Iban people live on the coast it is well known that the Batang-Lupar did use these swords

So does not have an Iban design


and on an website I did find an decorated one from Borneo but never see an decorated one from the Bataks

Take a look at this Handle this one sure Borneo

[VVV]

Dajak,

That's a beautiful and rare Parang Nabur - congratulations on the nice find!
But to make it an indication, or a trend, unfortunately I think you have to find at least five of those that has survived or been documented somehow?
On the people living in the village of Batang Lupar they are classified as Sea Dayaks (Iban) according to Ling Roth.

Michael

[ariel]

Resurrecting it after 11 years:-)

I see that all Piso Podangs have trilobate endings of quillons.


Does it mean that ALL swords with trilobate quillons tips hail from Sumatra/Borneo/Malaysia? Do we know of genuinely Indian examples with such quillons?

After all, this type of handle came to the “Malay” world from India.


Also, all “Malay” Piso Podangs have bronze/brass handles. Any iron ones that we know?

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by ariel

Also, all “Malay” Piso Podangs have bronze/brass handles. Any iron ones that we know?

Good point Ariel. Yes there are piso podangs with iron hilts and ones with mixed parts, say a brass grip and bronze pommel. I have had some of these variations in my collection, though the overwhelming majority have been all brass.

[ariel]

Thanks Charles!

Can you show Piso with iron handle that is verifiably “Malay”? After all, the cup-like pommel is old Indian: Jens showed a pic from Hamza-Nameh and Elgood
showed one from Brian Isaac in the chapter about “important swords”


As to bronze/brass distinction ... I have my, say, hesitations. Both are copper alloys and, taking into account rather primitive methods of smelting and contamination with various elements, it is often difficult to separate the two.

And what about the trilobate quillons tips?

[TVV]

Ariel,

Here is a steel hilted Malay piso podang: the scabbard is definitely Sumatran.

Teodor

[Rick]

Not to barge in here, but while we're discussing sabres of this ilk, can any of you give me a hint as to the origin of these two?

I have only seen 3 of these in my years of collecting edgy stuff and would love to know their origin.

The blade with the unknown script is puzzling because the wire used for the inlay crosses the blade edge and continues to the other side and more unknown script.

Thanks

[ariel]

To the best of my knowledge these are Sumatran.