Spear head and sheath

Taffjones · 17th October 2012, 07:38 PM

Hello everybody decided to come out of the shadows(where i have been lurking for sometime) and have a go at posting.
Have had this item in my collection for some time. Could anybody help me identify it please and maybe give it a bit of a critique please. Some of the questions I would like answered if possible

1. What is it
2. Where does it come from
3. What materials is it made from
4. Is it new/old or somewhere in between
5. Is it a tourist grade item or intended for indigenous use

Thanks

Henk · 17th October 2012, 09:19 PM

Hi Taffjones,

Welcome to the forum.

It is a tombak from Java, Indonesia. The tombak itself is not new but has some age. You should stain it like a keris blade. Then you will see the pamor.
The scabbard is more recent. Nicely carved.
A friend of mine gave me a tombak with a scabbard similar to yours. The tombak he gave me was stained in Java an he had the scabbard also made there. Certainly not a tourist grade item.

David R · 17th October 2012, 09:21 PM

Nice item, congratulations.

Sajen · 17th October 2012, 10:14 PM

Agree with Henk, antique tombak with newer but well carved sheath, most proable from Java. Nice item!

Search with keyword tombak and you will see more.

BTW, welcome to the forum.

Regards,

Detlef

Battara · 17th October 2012, 11:51 PM

Great carving.

What everyone else said.

Atlantia · 18th October 2012, 12:12 AM

Nice Tombak. Love the scabbard. What does everyone think the wood is?

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 18th October 2012, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Nice Tombak. Love the scabbard. What does everyone think the wood is?

Salaams Atlantia... Looks like Horn or fish bone ...>> but if it's wood perhaps the single fruit with leaves at the tip may indicate type.
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Atlantia · 18th October 2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Atlantia... Looks like Horn or fish bone ...>> but if it's wood perhaps the single fruit with leaves at the tip may indicate type.
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Namaste Ibrahiim

I think I can see a knot in it. If it's wood it's very pale almost like Holly, sandalwood or ash I guess. Just wondering what the traditional white wood for these might be?

ATB
Gene

Rick · 18th October 2012, 02:28 PM

Sandalwood might be a contender .
I have heard that white wood is currently hard to come by for Carvers in the area .

Nice scabbard .
Photo: A. Maisey

David · 18th October 2012, 03:26 PM

Yes, this is most certainly wood and i agree with Rick that sandalwood might be a contender.

Taffjones · 18th October 2012, 03:42 PM

Just a quick few lines to say thanks to everybody for there help so far. Have used the search function and found some good information about Tombaks. I dont know whether I have the confidence or expertise to have a go at staining but may do in the future.

All the best
Taff

17th October 2012, 07:38 PM	#1
Taffjones Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Abertridwr Posts: 50	Spear head and sheath Hello everybody decided to come out of the shadows(where i have been lurking for sometime) and have a go at posting. Have had this item in my collection for some time. Could anybody help me identify it please and maybe give it a bit of a critique please. Some of the questions I would like answered if possible 1. What is it 2. Where does it come from 3. What materials is it made from 4. Is it new/old or somewhere in between 5. Is it a tourist grade item or intended for indigenous use Thanks Attached Images

18th October 2012, 02:28 PM	#9
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	Sandalwood might be a contender . I have heard that white wood is currently hard to come by for Carvers in the area . Nice scabbard . Photo: A. Maisey Attached Images

17th October 2012, 09:19 PM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Hi Taffjones, Welcome to the forum. It is a tombak from Java, Indonesia. The tombak itself is not new but has some age. You should stain it like a keris blade. Then you will see the pamor. The scabbard is more recent. Nicely carved. A friend of mine gave me a tombak with a scabbard similar to yours. The tombak he gave me was stained in Java an he had the scabbard also made there. Certainly not a tourist grade item.

17th October 2012, 09:21 PM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,052	Nice item, congratulations.

17th October 2012, 10:14 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,483	Agree with Henk, antique tombak with newer but well carved sheath, most proable from Java. Nice item! Search with keyword tombak and you will see more. BTW, welcome to the forum. Regards, Detlef

17th October 2012, 11:51 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Great carving. What everyone else said.

18th October 2012, 12:12 AM	#6
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Nice Tombak. Love the scabbard. What does everyone think the wood is?

18th October 2012, 03:26 PM	#10
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,024	Yes, this is most certainly wood and i agree with Rick that sandalwood might be a contender.

18th October 2012, 03:42 PM	#11
Taffjones Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Abertridwr Posts: 50	Just a quick few lines to say thanks to everybody for there help so far. Have used the search function and found some good information about Tombaks. I dont know whether I have the confidence or expertise to have a go at staining but may do in the future. All the best Taff