Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 15th November 2025, 05:32 PM   #1
Jim McDougall
Arms Historian
 
Jim McDougall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 10,680
Default European influence in East Indies

I wanted to add an example of European influences, likely via forms of small sword which appear to have entered Indonesian spheres in the colonial period end of 18th c. into early 19th. with the Dutch.
This Javanese pedang suduk (tusuk) shows noticeable European styling, and the faces on scabbard and pommel cap reflect the lion face (of Orange) in Dutch heraldic symbolism.
The Dutch used native mercenaries from several locations, but most likely in this case Madura.

Most notable here with regard to the knife being discussed is the hilt shape, which along with the face symbolism suggests European influence.

This of course brings the question, was the knife itself fashioned in the Philippines, and diffuse to California, or otherwise? A conundrum indeed.

Just added a Dutch hunting hanger c. 1750. Note the hilt shape (though faceted). In the example the wood scabbard is lacquered in yellow ochre, which reflects the strong oriental influences in small sword decoration in these times known as 'Tonquinese'. The yellow ochre seems to have been a color notable in Chinese decoration.
Further elements in the conundrum!
Attached Images
    

Last edited by Jim McDougall; 15th November 2025 at 05:52 PM.
Jim McDougall is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:00 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.