Mandau from Hornbill and Dragon exhibition

Green · 18th January 2020, 02:20 PM

Thanks Bob A. Here is the pic of the other side of scabbard. Looks very plain.

kai · 18th January 2020, 09:33 PM

Hello Nik,

Congrats, looks like an old and good hilt! Style is Modang which includes the coastal trading port Kutai. I believe the hair is a very recent "restoration" attempt (also evidenced by the light thread attaching it): genuine decor at this part should be really short hair; wait for the Borneo experts to support my opinion though. Good news is that it could easily be cut to the correct length and adding a touch of dye to the thread will make the restore appear more natural, too.

Engraved blades seem to be uncommon in this region - we'll need specialist help here. However, trading of blades is well known among Dayak groups.

The scabbard seems a bit rough - I posit that the wooden part is a later replacement as may be the side knife. The back pocket/decor shows age/wear and the correct style; also the belt of braided rattan is correct and likely genuinely old.

It's extremely rare to find a perfectly preserved mandau - all in all this seems like a pretty good catch.

Regards,
Kai

Battara · 19th January 2020, 01:24 AM

I agree with you Kai. So far, what I have seen of this type of hilt, the hair is usually short.

Green · 19th January 2020, 02:32 AM

Many thanks Kai and Battara for your comments and suggestion about the hair.

18th January 2020, 02:20 PM	#1
Green Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Malaysia Posts: 323	Thanks Bob A. Here is the pic of the other side of scabbard. Looks very plain. Attached Images

18th January 2020, 09:33 PM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Nik, Congrats, looks like an old and good hilt! Style is Modang which includes the coastal trading port Kutai. I believe the hair is a very recent "restoration" attempt (also evidenced by the light thread attaching it): genuine decor at this part should be really short hair; wait for the Borneo experts to support my opinion though. Good news is that it could easily be cut to the correct length and adding a touch of dye to the thread will make the restore appear more natural, too. Engraved blades seem to be uncommon in this region - we'll need specialist help here. However, trading of blades is well known among Dayak groups. The scabbard seems a bit rough - I posit that the wooden part is a later replacement as may be the side knife. The back pocket/decor shows age/wear and the correct style; also the belt of braided rattan is correct and likely genuinely old. It's extremely rare to find a perfectly preserved mandau - all in all this seems like a pretty good catch. Regards, Kai

19th January 2020, 01:24 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	I agree with you Kai. So far, what I have seen of this type of hilt, the hair is usually short.

19th January 2020, 02:32 AM	#4
Green Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Malaysia Posts: 323	Many thanks Kai and Battara for your comments and suggestion about the hair.