Board ID?

A. G. Maisey · 13th April 2010, 10:42 PM

David, this subject of Dyak tribe ID of ethnographic objects based upon carving style is something I know diddley squat about.

No way I could even attempt it.

However, give me half a dozen or so mandaus and I will probably be able to ID tribe of origin.

Why?

Because Hornbill & Dragon and some other minor books I have, between them, give pretty comprehensive coverage of mandau and other weapon styles that are associated with the various tribes.

To jump from that sort of ID to an ID based on stylistic variation might be asking just a wee bit too much.

asomotif · 13th April 2010, 11:05 PM

Hello David,

Pfew, at last one of the Borneo freaks steps in

Following the recent threads on mandau hilts and the extensive knowledge of Arjan, I must say that I become very reluctant to put a name to tribes.
I am not much of a reader, and presently I am at a stage where I feel the more I know, the less I know

But this board gives me one first impression , and that is that it is not very traditional/old. It really looks like tourist style to me.
Also the kind of wood is strange.
Is it really black ? or is it made black with pigment ?
is it heavy wood ? because heavy wood would not be handy for a back pack.

Ps. here is my example.
Bought it from the person who collected it approx 15 years ago.
So definately not old, but well made, more according to the traditional motifs.
But still you can see the carving is by far not as fine as when they made these in the past (say before WW2).

David · 14th April 2010, 02:16 PM

Thanks for a rely from the "Borneo Freak Squad"

Willem.
My board isn't as black as it appears in the photos, but it is a very dark brown, The other side of the board is dark as well, but at least a shade lighter so i do suspect that some pigment may have been added. The wood is not heavy at all so i see no problem with it being carried as part of a back pack. The carving has a nice patina and appears to have some age to it, but i suppose this could be faked. I bought to a few years back for a song from a guy who sells lots of Bali and Jawa imports and collected it on a trip there. He had no idea about it at the time and thought it was a Bali piece.
Tourist or not, it is decorative and serves it's purpose.

asomotif · 16th April 2010, 01:01 AM

Quote:

at the time and thought it was a Bali piece.

It probably is, considering the colour and style.
But it has its function now, keeping the bad spirits away

I found one more backpack pic.

13th April 2010, 11:05 PM	#2
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,228	Hello David, Pfew, at last one of the Borneo freaks steps in Following the recent threads on mandau hilts and the extensive knowledge of Arjan, I must say that I become very reluctant to put a name to tribes. I am not much of a reader, and presently I am at a stage where I feel the more I know, the less I know But this board gives me one first impression , and that is that it is not very traditional/old. It really looks like tourist style to me. Also the kind of wood is strange. Is it really black ? or is it made black with pigment ? is it heavy wood ? because heavy wood would not be handy for a back pack. Ps. here is my example. Bought it from the person who collected it approx 15 years ago. So definately not old, but well made, more according to the traditional motifs. But still you can see the carving is by far not as fine as when they made these in the past (say before WW2). Attached Images Last edited by asomotif; 14th April 2010 at 01:17 PM.

13th April 2010, 10:42 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	David, this subject of Dyak tribe ID of ethnographic objects based upon carving style is something I know diddley squat about. No way I could even attempt it. However, give me half a dozen or so mandaus and I will probably be able to ID tribe of origin. Why? Because Hornbill & Dragon and some other minor books I have, between them, give pretty comprehensive coverage of mandau and other weapon styles that are associated with the various tribes. To jump from that sort of ID to an ID based on stylistic variation might be asking just a wee bit too much.

14th April 2010, 02:16 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Thanks for a rely from the "Borneo Freak Squad" Willem. My board isn't as black as it appears in the photos, but it is a very dark brown, The other side of the board is dark as well, but at least a shade lighter so i do suspect that some pigment may have been added. The wood is not heavy at all so i see no problem with it being carried as part of a back pack. The carving has a nice patina and appears to have some age to it, but i suppose this could be faked. I bought to a few years back for a song from a guy who sells lots of Bali and Jawa imports and collected it on a trip there. He had no idea about it at the time and thought it was a Bali piece. Tourist or not, it is decorative and serves it's purpose.