What is it?

Miguel · 23rd October 2016, 05:22 PM

Thank you for your comments, I know a lot less than you, I originally thought they were arrow or dart heads having no idea they were Taji, thank goodness for the Forum

Frommy searches on the web I am fairly sure that they are from Indonesia but which part I don't know and am still searching. Thanks again.

Regards

Miguel

A. G. Maisey · 23rd October 2016, 10:41 PM

Miguel, I bought a single taji many years ago, it came from a local antiques dealer.

He assured me that it was a "native surgical instrument".

In East Jawa 40-50 years ago taji were used by thugs as a weapon.

Miguel · 3rd November 2016, 10:48 AM

Yes I think that they can easily be mistaken for other things when you have no idea of their real purpose. I can easily believe that they were used as weapons by Thugs as they lend themselves to making a lethal stiletto or similar knife as they could be easily concealed.

Regards

Miguel

machinist · 8th February 2017, 10:58 PM

I thought I would add my taji box here. It is two sided, opening front and back with space for twelve knives of which I have ten. I know nothing about that part of the world so any info about it would be welcome. Strangely it seems to have a wood grained paper liner, I also have a small wavy blade that I originally thought was a taji but the tang is much thinner than any others I have seen and it lacks the characteristic binding attachment points that I see on other taji so I guess it is a sort of amulet?

Sajen · 9th February 2017, 04:59 PM

Very nice taji ayam box, I think it is from Jawa. The other item is an amulet tombak, there was a thread about similar items but I can't find it. Alan will be able to tell you more.

Regards,
Detlef

machinist · 10th February 2017, 03:52 PM

Thanks for the information Detlef

A. G. Maisey · 12th February 2017, 01:11 AM

Nope, Alan cannot add much to this.

Tombak amulet is probably enough.

In Jawa you see lots of this sort of thing. This is the land of "Wastenothing", so if somebody can figure out a way to turn anything at all into money, they'll do it. Mostly you see these little pamor things in the street markets, along with magical agates & etc.

8th February 2017, 10:58 PM	#4
machinist Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 93	I thought I would add my taji box here. It is two sided, opening front and back with space for twelve knives of which I have ten. I know nothing about that part of the world so any info about it would be welcome. Strangely it seems to have a wood grained paper liner, I also have a small wavy blade that I originally thought was a taji but the tang is much thinner than any others I have seen and it lacks the characteristic binding attachment points that I see on other taji so I guess it is a sort of amulet? Attached Images

23rd October 2016, 05:22 PM	#1
Miguel Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 584	Thank you for your comments, I know a lot less than you, I originally thought they were arrow or dart heads having no idea they were Taji, thank goodness for the Forum Frommy searches on the web I am fairly sure that they are from Indonesia but which part I don't know and am still searching. Thanks again. Regards Miguel

23rd October 2016, 10:41 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,048	Miguel, I bought a single taji many years ago, it came from a local antiques dealer. He assured me that it was a "native surgical instrument". In East Jawa 40-50 years ago taji were used by thugs as a weapon.

3rd November 2016, 10:48 AM	#3
Miguel Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 584	Yes I think that they can easily be mistaken for other things when you have no idea of their real purpose. I can easily believe that they were used as weapons by Thugs as they lend themselves to making a lethal stiletto or similar knife as they could be easily concealed. Regards Miguel

9th February 2017, 04:59 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,274	Very nice taji ayam box, I think it is from Jawa. The other item is an amulet tombak, there was a thread about similar items but I can't find it. Alan will be able to tell you more. Regards, Detlef

10th February 2017, 03:52 PM	#6
machinist Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 93	Thanks for the information Detlef

12th February 2017, 01:11 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,048	Nope, Alan cannot add much to this. Tombak amulet is probably enough. In Jawa you see lots of this sort of thing. This is the land of "Wastenothing", so if somebody can figure out a way to turn anything at all into money, they'll do it. Mostly you see these little pamor things in the street markets, along with magical agates & etc.