Batak Sword - metal handle - More info?

[kai]

Hello Bill,

Blade stats would be great!

As in the companion thread I'd agree with this being clearly Toba style while steering away from calling it a kalasan.

If we go with the common collectors' terminology, I'd tend toward tagging this as a rather longish piso ni datu even if this stretches things a bit.

Age is tough to impossible to assess from pics. If pressed for a guesstimate, I'd tend towards the first half of 20th c. (or later).

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Hello Bill,

I just saw that we crossed posts.

Age is tough to impossible to assess from pics. If pressed for a guesstimate, I'd tend towards the first half of 20th c. (or later).

Maybe I'm a bit too cautious - the craftsmanship is above average for the period and warrants close study (the black painted scabbard may be a later "restoration" attempt...)

BTW, for a piece with resembling motifs cp. Fig. viii.16 in Sibeth & Carpenter (2007).

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

I'd agree with this being clearly Toba style while steering away from calling it a kalasan.

If we go with the common collectors' terminology, I'd tend toward tagging this as a rather longish piso ni datu even if this stretches things a bit.

Hello Kai,

yes agree with you that it isn't correct to call it kalasan, piso ni datu would be a better description.

Regards,
Detlef

[CharlesS]

What is the material covering the scabbard...tar/paint/resin of some sort? I am surprised it also extends to the fittings.

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

What is the material covering the scabbard...tar/paint/resin of some sort? I am surprised it also extends to the fittings.

I will have a closer look. I usually try to keep 'em like I find 'em. But stop rust or degradation. I have over cleaned in the past.