A Batak sewar for sharing and discussion

Sajen · 26th May 2021, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Athanase

I have seen this style of sewar several times before, often they seem to date from the middle and the first part of the 20th century.

Are you sure about Séverin? It's not like one of the parrot-hilted sewars you may have in mind, look at the details.

I've found only one piece online, seems to be sold online.
The other one I've found is by "The Batak" from A. Sibeth, see picture. I've seen in the last twenty years not many of this sort.
It's not one like in the last picture.
But you may have more luck as I am.

Regards,
Detlef

Athanase · 27th May 2021, 01:11 AM

I've seen some on sale before in a style between that of the photo in the book (for the handle only) and the style of your handle (Sometimes it almost looked like a Singa), at least once at an antique store but overpriced obviously, and two or three other times in auctions including one in the USA and one in Great Britain where the low estimates + 25-30%+ the shipping were too important for me so I did not try to participate in the sale.
Often these Sewar seemed to be made of horn and had little patina so I had a doubt about their age which seemed to be half of the XXth century and not end of XIXth century or more.

Sajen · 29th May 2021, 08:34 AM

Hello Séverin,

Are you able to provide some pictures?

Regards,
Detlef

RobT · 30th May 2021, 07:41 PM

Detlef,

If I am not mistaken, you provided a photo of a page from The Batak by A Sibeth. Does the the book identify the leftmost dagger (the one with the curved blade and brass sheath)? If so, could you please give me the name, area of origin, ethnic group affiliation, etc? I have three of these blades and have been trying for a while to get concrete information about them.

Sincerely,
RobT

Sajen · 30th May 2021, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobT

If I am not mistaken, you provided a photo of a page from The Batak by A Sibeth. Does the the book identify the leftmost dagger (the one with the curved blade and brass sheath)? If so, could you please give me the name, area of origin, ethnic group affiliation, etc? I have three of these blades and have been trying for a while to get concrete information about them.

Hello Rob,

It's good to read on the picture, "far left: insignia of a Karo Batak pengulu which comes from Aceh; length: c. 35 cm

Frankly said, I doubt this description.

Looks North African to me.

Regards,
Detlef

RobT · 31st May 2021, 12:46 AM

Detlif,

I also always thought that these blades came from North Africa and have been given information attributing them to the Eritrean region. Googling pengulu yields a definition of "a leader of a colonial-style village or tribe, in some islands of Indonesia" and also an alternate spelling (penghulu). I rather doubt the dagger in question has anything to do with the Karo Batak.

Sincerely,
RobT

31st May 2021, 12:46 AM	#6
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 536	I Agree with You Detlif, I also always thought that these blades came from North Africa and have been given information attributing them to the Eritrean region. Googling pengulu yields a definition of "a leader of a colonial-style village or tribe, in some islands of Indonesia" and also an alternate spelling (penghulu). I rather doubt the dagger in question has anything to do with the Karo Batak. Sincerely, RobT

27th May 2021, 01:11 AM	#2
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 417	I've seen some on sale before in a style between that of the photo in the book (for the handle only) and the style of your handle (Sometimes it almost looked like a Singa), at least once at an antique store but overpriced obviously, and two or three other times in auctions including one in the USA and one in Great Britain where the low estimates + 25-30%+ the shipping were too important for me so I did not try to participate in the sale. Often these Sewar seemed to be made of horn and had little patina so I had a doubt about their age which seemed to be half of the XXth century and not end of XIXth century or more.

29th May 2021, 08:34 AM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Hello Séverin, Are you able to provide some pictures? Regards, Detlef

30th May 2021, 07:41 PM	#4
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 536	Detlef, If I am not mistaken, you provided a photo of a page from The Batak by A Sibeth. Does the the book identify the leftmost dagger (the one with the curved blade and brass sheath)? If so, could you please give me the name, area of origin, ethnic group affiliation, etc? I have three of these blades and have been trying for a while to get concrete information about them. Sincerely, RobT