Pedang with European-style hilt

rumpel9 · 5th November 2018, 01:56 PM

This is the second pedang of this type in my collection. Here are the pictures of another one.

rumpel9 · 5th November 2018, 02:11 PM

A few more pedangs with the same hilt, but with slightly different blades I saw in the photos.
Given all this, it can be assumed that there was some kind of mass production. Perhaps such weapons were made for local residents in the service of the colonial administration. It is known that for the inhabitants of the Malay Archipelago, the blade with a pamor is of great sacral significance and is inherited. Therefore, it was allowed to put their personal blades, but otherwise they tried to give the weapon a European appearance.
What is your opinion about this?

A. G. Maisey · 5th November 2018, 08:31 PM

During the late colonial period in Jawa (say, from +/-1850 to 1940) many, if not most Javanese rulers equipped their palace guards and ceremonial forces with European style swords. Occasionally these swords had a European blade, more often it was a locally made blade.

The Susuhunan of Surakarta, Pakubuwana X, who ruled from 1893 to 1939 was particularly influenced by European style and many pedangs of this European influenced style originated in his Karaton.

These swords were not made as pusaka, that is, they were not regarded as items for inheritance or possessing any esoteric or spiritual content, they were Kraton (palace) property and used for ceremony only.

The photos below were taken in the Karaton Surakarta in 2015. The wall display is located in the Karaton museum --- sorry for the quality, this museum is not particularly well lit, it helps if you take a torch with you. The fancy dress soldiers are parading in the Karaton courtyard.

Ian · 6th November 2018, 02:34 AM

Hi rumpel9:

Thanks for showing this interesting sword. Last year I posted a thread about a Dutch klewang bearing the marks of the Soerakata Kraton and the ruler PB X. It can be found here. As Alan has noted, these karaton-inspired European imitations seem to have been entirely for display/parade purposes. Nonetheless, they are interesting cross-cultural pieces.

Ian.

rumpel9 · 7th November 2018, 01:25 PM

Alan and Ian, thank you for your replies and useful information.

satsujinken · 5th April 2019, 11:21 AM

So no one correctly described those swords yet ?

it is called sundrik lombok, one with modified european handle. Common in Lombok Island

these type of Sundrik with european handles are usually less ornate than the one in more traditional dress

regards
Donny

rumpel9 · 13th April 2019, 07:57 PM

Yes, you are right. This pedang is from Lombok, not Jawa. But this pedang calls CAGAK. Sundrik is absolutly diffrent.

5th November 2018, 01:56 PM	#1
rumpel9 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 68	This is the second pedang of this type in my collection. Here are the pictures of another one. Attached Images

5th November 2018, 08:31 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,056	During the late colonial period in Jawa (say, from +/-1850 to 1940) many, if not most Javanese rulers equipped their palace guards and ceremonial forces with European style swords. Occasionally these swords had a European blade, more often it was a locally made blade. The Susuhunan of Surakarta, Pakubuwana X, who ruled from 1893 to 1939 was particularly influenced by European style and many pedangs of this European influenced style originated in his Karaton. These swords were not made as pusaka, that is, they were not regarded as items for inheritance or possessing any esoteric or spiritual content, they were Kraton (palace) property and used for ceremony only. The photos below were taken in the Karaton Surakarta in 2015. The wall display is located in the Karaton museum --- sorry for the quality, this museum is not particularly well lit, it helps if you take a torch with you. The fancy dress soldiers are parading in the Karaton courtyard. Attached Images

5th November 2018, 02:11 PM	#2
rumpel9 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 68	A few more pedangs with the same hilt, but with slightly different blades I saw in the photos. Given all this, it can be assumed that there was some kind of mass production. Perhaps such weapons were made for local residents in the service of the colonial administration. It is known that for the inhabitants of the Malay Archipelago, the blade with a pamor is of great sacral significance and is inherited. Therefore, it was allowed to put their personal blades, but otherwise they tried to give the weapon a European appearance. What is your opinion about this?

6th November 2018, 02:34 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,470	Hi rumpel9: Thanks for showing this interesting sword. Last year I posted a thread about a Dutch klewang bearing the marks of the Soerakata Kraton and the ruler PB X. It can be found here. As Alan has noted, these karaton-inspired European imitations seem to have been entirely for display/parade purposes. Nonetheless, they are interesting cross-cultural pieces. Ian.

7th November 2018, 01:25 PM	#5
rumpel9 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 68	Alan and Ian, thank you for your replies and useful information.

5th April 2019, 11:21 AM	#6
satsujinken Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surabaya - Indonesia Posts: 199	So no one correctly described those swords yet ? it is called sundrik lombok, one with modified european handle. Common in Lombok Island these type of Sundrik with european handles are usually less ornate than the one in more traditional dress regards Donny

13th April 2019, 07:57 PM	#7
rumpel9 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 68	Yes, you are right. This pedang is from Lombok, not Jawa. But this pedang calls CAGAK. Sundrik is absolutly diffrent.