Is this from Borneo?

Rick · 10th January 2009, 10:48 PM

Hi Fernando, I think this is an Indonesian spearhead; it looks like the collar at the base (metuk) may be a separate piece .

As for cultural signifigance mounted as it is ...

fernando · 11th January 2009, 01:22 AM

Thanks Rick,
You mean this piece is not a 'classic' style? not an usualy seen specimen?
Meerly a tombak mounted in an atypical way?
Horn and teeth would be the materials used ... or would the 'teeth' be worked up bone?
A weapon to be carried over the shoulder, so it seems ...
Looks some old, doesn't it ?
Any more coments ... Gentlemen ?
Fernando

Rick · 11th January 2009, 01:44 AM

Hi Fernando
You will see keris made up this way with the knotwork, teeth and painting also .

Unfortunately I have no knowledge of whether these items are culturally signifigant or not .

However I would ask this; it is a spearhead, does form follow function ?

katana · 11th January 2009, 02:05 AM

Hi Fernando and Happy New Year

,
I think Rick might be refering to something like this...

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=mandau+teeth

I am intrigued with the 'bend' in the shaft and its possible function ..... even if this is a 'tourist' piece...surely it would be based on a 'local' form

The spearhead looks good....but I must admit that it is a personal view.....I have very limited knowledge of SEA weapons

....but they are fascinating

Kind Regards David

Dajak · 11th January 2009, 05:43 AM

Hi Fernando this is for sure put together in Borneo but has nothing to do with the dayaks .

Many tourist piece's are like it they have krissen,mandau's and parangs like this .

This one could be made in the 50/60/70

Ben

Freddy · 11th January 2009, 08:31 AM

My guess is that it is a good tombak blade in a 'bad' dress.

I would disassemble the piece and only keep the tombak.

Henk · 11th January 2009, 09:28 AM

Freddy,

This is a javanese tombak. The mounting is from New Guinea. But it puzzles me a bit.
Like Dajak noticed many of these pieces were assembled as mandau, keris and spears for the tourist market. The tourist pieces are easily to recognize because of the bright modern fabric paint used for the mountings.

The paint seen on this mounting seems to be the paint used on the original New guinea pieces made from natural materials. But as you said the pictures aren't of the best quality.

Don't be to hasty by throwing away these mountings.

10th January 2009, 10:48 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Hi Fernando, I think this is an Indonesian spearhead; it looks like the collar at the base (metuk) may be a separate piece . As for cultural signifigance mounted as it is ...

11th January 2009, 01:22 AM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thanks Rick, You mean this piece is not a 'classic' style? not an usualy seen specimen? Meerly a tombak mounted in an atypical way? Horn and teeth would be the materials used ... or would the 'teeth' be worked up bone? A weapon to be carried over the shoulder, so it seems ... Looks some old, doesn't it ? Any more coments ... Gentlemen ? Fernando

11th January 2009, 01:44 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Hi Fernando You will see keris made up this way with the knotwork, teeth and painting also . Unfortunately I have no knowledge of whether these items are culturally signifigant or not . However I would ask this; it is a spearhead, does form follow function ?

11th January 2009, 02:05 AM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Fernando and Happy New Year , I think Rick might be refering to something like this... http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=mandau+teeth I am intrigued with the 'bend' in the shaft and its possible function ..... even if this is a 'tourist' piece...surely it would be based on a 'local' form The spearhead looks good....but I must admit that it is a personal view.....I have very limited knowledge of SEA weapons ....but they are fascinating Kind Regards David

11th January 2009, 05:43 AM	#5
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi Fernando this is for sure put together in Borneo but has nothing to do with the dayaks . Many tourist piece's are like it they have krissen,mandau's and parangs like this . This one could be made in the 50/60/70 Ben

11th January 2009, 08:31 AM	#6
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	My guess is that it is a good tombak blade in a 'bad' dress. I would disassemble the piece and only keep the tombak.

11th January 2009, 09:28 AM	#7
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Freddy, This is a javanese tombak. The mounting is from New Guinea. But it puzzles me a bit. Like Dajak noticed many of these pieces were assembled as mandau, keris and spears for the tourist market. The tourist pieces are easily to recognize because of the bright modern fabric paint used for the mountings. The paint seen on this mounting seems to be the paint used on the original New guinea pieces made from natural materials. But as you said the pictures aren't of the best quality. Don't be to hasty by throwing away these mountings.