Sewar or not? If not, than wot..?

kai · 2nd May 2022, 12:29 AM

Hello Gunar,

This piece very likely got crafted in Medan and thereabouts: Late colonial period or even later (pretty much all of 20th century even if I'd guess around WW2). I'm not convinced the blade is any older - certainly a possibility though.

Not a traditional piece but prepared for those who travel (often colonial employees, visitors, etc.). The workmanship is not bad - a far cry from genuine traditional craftsmanship though.

Regards,
Kai

kronckew · 2nd May 2022, 09:22 AM

The edge is also on the wrong side for a sewar. They are on the concave (inner) side.

gp · 2nd May 2022, 05:54 PM

thank you all for your swift replies, which are most interesting to me.
Even if there is no conclusive answer, or at least not yet....
Henceforth looking very much forward to further info.

The hilt is neither horn nor bone I can say as it is too heavy for that:
it became detached and looks like the ivory I have seen from the better Ottoman yataghans but am open to any advise if you know any other heavy material?

Would it be correct to determine it at least to be Indonesian ?

David · 2nd May 2022, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gp

The hilt is neither horn nor bone I can say as it is too heavy for that:
it became detached and looks like the ivory I have seen from the better Ottoman yataghans but am open to any advise if you know any other heavy material?

I think we would need to see better photos that are closer, sharper and better exposed. Can't read much in those blown out sections of photo. I don't see any obvious Schreger lines so if it is some kind of ivory perhaps it is not elephant ivory. But it looks a bit porous in some spots and if i just had these photos to go by i would still suspect it was bone.
And yes, i think it would be fair to consider this Indonesian, though i am not sure of the exact origin.

gp · 3rd May 2022, 06:40 PM

Thns again for all your input; highly appreciated. I shall try to make some better pics but more important for me is to find out the origin ...
Even if it would be a tourist piece for the "upper class" or better to do travellers between 1900-1950, surely more of these must have been made and entered the EU and Anglo-Saxon markets one would presume...

As for now, I think the most trustworthy and reasonable explantion I would think is made by Kai, but surely would like to see and know if more of these kind of daggers surfaced.

The hilt decoration reminds me a little of the hairdress as worn by men in Java and Bali in the past.... But than again, than could be as the Stones sing so nicely "only my imagination, running away with me..." ☺

2nd May 2022, 05:54 PM	#3
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 823	thank you all for your swift replies, which are most interesting to me. Even if there is no conclusive answer, or at least not yet.... Henceforth looking very much forward to further info. The hilt is neither horn nor bone I can say as it is too heavy for that: it became detached and looks like the ivory I have seen from the better Ottoman yataghans but am open to any advise if you know any other heavy material? Would it be correct to determine it at least to be Indonesian ? Attached Images

3rd May 2022, 06:40 PM	#5
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 823	Thns again for all your input; highly appreciated. I shall try to make some better pics but more important for me is to find out the origin ... Even if it would be a tourist piece for the "upper class" or better to do travellers between 1900-1950, surely more of these must have been made and entered the EU and Anglo-Saxon markets one would presume... As for now, I think the most trustworthy and reasonable explantion I would think is made by Kai, but surely would like to see and know if more of these kind of daggers surfaced. The hilt decoration reminds me a little of the hairdress as worn by men in Java and Bali in the past.... But than again, than could be as the Stones sing so nicely "only my imagination, running away with me..." ☺ Attached Images Last edited by gp; 3rd May 2022 at 09:32 PM.

2nd May 2022, 12:29 AM	#1
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Gunar, This piece very likely got crafted in Medan and thereabouts: Late colonial period or even later (pretty much all of 20th century even if I'd guess around WW2). I'm not convinced the blade is any older - certainly a possibility though. Not a traditional piece but prepared for those who travel (often colonial employees, visitors, etc.). The workmanship is not bad - a far cry from genuine traditional craftsmanship though. Regards, Kai

2nd May 2022, 09:22 AM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	The edge is also on the wrong side for a sewar. They are on the concave (inner) side.