Piso Podang Batak or Borneo?

[VVV]

Nice find Erik and thanks for the great reference pictures Rasdan.
In Gardner's book Keris and Other Malay Weapons from 1936 you can find out more about the Malay Peninsular Chenangkas.

Michael

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7338
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10183

[rasdan]

Hello all,

Thank you very much for the pointers VVV! Have heard of the word, but I don't know this is the one and I never noticed that in Gardner's book.

The one that CharlesS have is marvellous! Never seen one with a locally forged blade before.

Here's the photos of my chenangkas. The repair at the end of the sheath is recent. I think the main difference with Borneo and Batak ones is probably the cup design. Also the screw in the cup is flush with the cup egde compared to the slightly longer screw in Sumatran ones.

The plating at mid section of the hilt had worn off, and the white metal can be seen.

[erikscollectables]

Hi Rasdan,

Unfortunately the screw in the cup in mine is gone so that does not help. The design on the crosspiece of yours is like a leaf or something else organic. I have a Batak one with almost the same design which is done in brass. The ornamentation of the cup is new to me - I have not seen it before. Indeed very interesting! I have added a picture of mine - this is the one with a VOC marked blade by the way.

Erik

Originally Posted by rasdan

Hello all,

Thank you very much for the pointers VVV! Have heard of the word, but I don't know this is the one and I never noticed that in Gardner's book.

The one that CharlesS have is marvellous! Never seen one with a locally forged blade before.

Here's the photos of my chenangkas. The repair at the end of the sheath is recent. I think the main difference with Borneo and Batak ones is probably the cup design. Also the screw in the cup is flush with the cup egde compared to the slightly longer screw in Sumatran ones.

The plating at mid section of the hilt had worn off, and the white metal can be seen.

[rasdan]

Hi Erik,

Actually the screw and cup thing is just my quick theory. I don't really study these weapons to really tell the difference. Cool one you have there. I love how the hilt's crosspiece flares out giving it a majestic look. Somehow, I think your second one here is Malay, but who knows?

[erikscollectables]

This photo is quite famous. Titled the radja of Dolok and his followers.
He is a Batak ruler with his helpers and his weapons of state. In the middle the Leming Radja of which I own several. To the far right a Podang.
The story was that the podand could respresent a ruler - it was sent by ship to other rulers to represent himself - or so the story goes....

[erikscollectables]

Based on the background of the 3 I have they all should be Batak but indeed who knows, nice theme to do some further research....

Originally Posted by rasdan

Hi Erik,

Actually the screw and cup thing is just my quick theory. I don't really study these weapons to really tell the difference. Cool one you have there. I love how the hilt's crosspiece flares out giving it a majestic look. Somehow, I think your second one here is Malay, but who knows?

[VVV]

I have 2 and have had another 2 of the straight ones and none with a screw like you describe?
I haven't seen any pictures with a Batak carrying a chenangkas so I suspect that they are all Malay, maybe originating from Malacca (Portuguese and Indian influences)?

Michael

[Norman McCormick]

Hi Guys,
Can you post some stats on the straight blades you have. Just wondering about the possible Indian influences, see attached photo of an Indian sword of mine with a not dissimilar blade profile.
Regards,
Norman.

[erikscollectables]

I'll do some researching in the Dutch museums and see if they have any straight ones....They certainly are far more rare than the curved ones.

Originally Posted by VVV

I have 2 and have had another 2 of the straight ones and none with a screw like you describe?
I haven't seen any pictures with a Batak carrying a chenangkas so I suspect that they are all Malay, maybe originating from Malacca (Portuguese and Indian influences)?

Michael

[erikscollectables]

Good to hear from you Michael and thanks for the info! I'll pick up Gardner immediately from my bookshelf!

And just did - never did take notice of these remarks. Also interesting the reference to blades with the cipher of the Dutch company (VOC) in the Raffles museum!

I have a piso podang with a laminated blade with VOC markings. It is clear the blade is very old and not a recent tourist example - I would say 150 years or more but it does sound very unlikely that the VOC would use laminated blades - the original ones have very simple steel blades.

My hypothesis is that European blades had more status and that was a reason for adding stamps that are not original to the blade to improve the status of the weapons.

Maybe something for a different thread....
The problem is there are also recent copies of these which makes the research much more diffuse.

Originally Posted by VVV

Nice find Erik and thanks for the great reference pictures Rasdan.
In Gardner's book Keris and Other Malay Weapons from 1936 you can find out more about the Malay Peninsular Chenangkas.

Michael

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7338
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10183