Authentic Nias Headhunting Swords

Cyclura99 · 16th October 2006, 04:40 AM

HI Naga,

Well my opinion of your sword based on the pics of the handle ect.Its not old as in what you think it is. Its carving is wrong stylistically the little figure often called a monkey, its really called a Beku that rides on the back of the Larsara.The Lasara is of what the handle is depicting a mythical beast that is part of the Nias culture.
That Beku figure is carved wrong and not well executed .I can be more specific but please refer to my 3 examples you will see what I mean.The wood aprears to have been painted and what shows as patina just looks like the paint is worn off the handle.The Brass cap is also a later style.IN my Opinion the Sword is late and NOT.... a Authentic Headhunting sword..

Nagawarrior · 16th October 2006, 02:33 PM

Thank you Cy. I appreciate your reply and thank you for the learning experience. No matter how long I collect I'm always learning. Thats what I love about collecting. I can see exactly what you talking about. I should have seen it myself, but one doesn't always want to see these things when one has been taken advantage of by a dealer. I enjoy collecting examples of edged weapons from many different cultures, so I don't always spend enough time studying first. Thanks again Cy.

VANDOO · 17th October 2006, 06:19 AM

CY GOOD TO SEE YOU POSTING AGAIN.

THATS AN EXCELLENT COLLECTION AND IS A EXCELLENT RESOURCE FOR COMPARING THE DIFFERENCES IN MATERIALS AND AGE OF NIAS SWORDS.
I HAVE A NEWER VERSION I PICKED UP A FEW YEARS AGO BUT PAID THE APPROPRIATE PRICE FOR IT JUST TO HAVE AN EXAMPLE FOR THE COLLECTION. I HAVE SEEN A FEW GOOD OLD ONES IN AUCTIONS I COULDN'T ATTEND OVER THE YEARS BUT THEY ALWAYS WENT FAR BEYOND MY MEANS. BUT PERHAPS I WILL GET LUCKY SOME DAY AND ONE WILL DROP INTO MY LAP

I ALSO HAVE A MORE PLAIN SHORT SWORD AND KNIFE FROM NIAS WHICH WERE FOR USE BUT NOT VERY IMPRESSIVE.

THE FIRST PICTURE YOU POSTED IS INTERESTING AS THE ENDS OF THE FETISH BALL TEETH LOOK LIKE FINGER TIPS GRASPING THE SWORD FROM THE OTHER SIDE. I SUSPECT THAT IS COIENCIDENCE AND JUST MY IMAGINATION BUT YOU NEVER CAN TELL.

16th October 2006, 04:40 AM	#1
Cyclura99 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 15	HI Naga, Well my opinion of your sword based on the pics of the handle ect.Its not old as in what you think it is. Its carving is wrong stylistically the little figure often called a monkey, its really called a Beku that rides on the back of the Larsara.The Lasara is of what the handle is depicting a mythical beast that is part of the Nias culture. That Beku figure is carved wrong and not well executed .I can be more specific but please refer to my 3 examples you will see what I mean.The wood aprears to have been painted and what shows as patina just looks like the paint is worn off the handle.The Brass cap is also a later style.IN my Opinion the Sword is late and NOT.... a Authentic Headhunting sword..

16th October 2006, 02:33 PM	#2
Nagawarrior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Inland Empire, Southern California USA Posts: 160	Thank you Cy. I appreciate your reply and thank you for the learning experience. No matter how long I collect I'm always learning. Thats what I love about collecting. I can see exactly what you talking about. I should have seen it myself, but one doesn't always want to see these things when one has been taken advantage of by a dealer. I enjoy collecting examples of edged weapons from many different cultures, so I don't always spend enough time studying first. Thanks again Cy.

17th October 2006, 06:19 AM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	CY GOOD TO SEE YOU POSTING AGAIN. THATS AN EXCELLENT COLLECTION AND IS A EXCELLENT RESOURCE FOR COMPARING THE DIFFERENCES IN MATERIALS AND AGE OF NIAS SWORDS. I HAVE A NEWER VERSION I PICKED UP A FEW YEARS AGO BUT PAID THE APPROPRIATE PRICE FOR IT JUST TO HAVE AN EXAMPLE FOR THE COLLECTION. I HAVE SEEN A FEW GOOD OLD ONES IN AUCTIONS I COULDN'T ATTEND OVER THE YEARS BUT THEY ALWAYS WENT FAR BEYOND MY MEANS. BUT PERHAPS I WILL GET LUCKY SOME DAY AND ONE WILL DROP INTO MY LAP I ALSO HAVE A MORE PLAIN SHORT SWORD AND KNIFE FROM NIAS WHICH WERE FOR USE BUT NOT VERY IMPRESSIVE. THE FIRST PICTURE YOU POSTED IS INTERESTING AS THE ENDS OF THE FETISH BALL TEETH LOOK LIKE FINGER TIPS GRASPING THE SWORD FROM THE OTHER SIDE. I SUSPECT THAT IS COIENCIDENCE AND JUST MY IMAGINATION BUT YOU NEVER CAN TELL.