Kayan mandau

[asomotif]

thought asomotif was the threadstarter

You can call me 'Willem'. That's what most people do

Dan's posts brought in the clear suggestion of the similarity to Celtic artistic style

The similarity between celtic design and borneo design is something that started my interest in this culture.
In my twenties I was interested in our celtic past (I am dutch) and read some books about it. I also was interested in tattoo designs and celtic styles withing tattoo designs.
Also Borneo came in perspective due to their tattoo history.
Than in 1997 my sister planned a holiday to Sarawak and I went along.
Those 4 weeks really got me interested.
Old men adorned with various tattoo's. The old habit of headhunting and trophees. The similarity with what I knew from Celtic times where striking.

But of course designs made by humans have 1 factor in common. the're made by humans.

rattan weavings from Indonesia can be very similar to those from the Amazon.

scroll motifs, spirals are found almost everywhere.

But back to the amulet.
I find it difficult to judge an amulet when you are not sure of the age and origin of the mandau. This mandau is clearly old. But there is no way for me to guess when and where the amulet was attached to it.
This specific amulet also reminds me of jewellry from India.
Timor as Ron mentioned could be possible.

Hard to be exact on the amulet, but surely a very nice traditional mandau.