David:  Congratulations on a great find.  Of all the mandaus we own, we definitely have not seen a better example of handle carving.  While i'm not sure if it's Iban, i think it's probably no later than 1930 or 40 at the latest.  I seem to recall that one book i read from a man who traveled through Borneo in 1879, that he stated that each man owned three or four mandaus, possibly depending on his status.  I can't seem to find this book right now, i'll have to look for it later.  Nevertheless, you have the best mandau handle that we have ever seen...................Dave.
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	 |