Question about a Jimpul

[kai]

Hello Godfried,

I have a question about this Jimpul. The handle and sheath contain stylized shapes of items that I cannot identify.

Congrats, that's a really exquisite example!

No-1: Someone who knew a lot about Krissen assumed that because of Arabic influences it might be the word "Allah".

Not really much of Islamic influences with old Iban pieces that I know of.

I don't see anything coming even close - even given that illiterate artisans often garble up scripture!

I can't trace no. 2 to a Dayak motif either.

Which element are you referring to?

BTW, some of the Iban hilts seem to favor more "geometric/stylized" design compared to the more "floral" carvings by other groups.

nr-3 ; the scabbard seems to me the "Tree of life".

Sounds like a possible interpretation. I guess we first need to check for other representations in Iban crafts to verify feasibility...

Is there anyone out there who can make sense of this?

I'm sure some of the specialised Borneo collectors have started looking into such topics but I'm not aware of any major published works. Certainly a very interesting field of study - go for it!

Regards,
Kai