Small Nias collection.

Maurice · 3rd May 2011, 09:39 AM

At a sudden I ran into some Nias pieces.
Two status lances (from the same collection) and an old balato with original ratan ball. (amulets gone unfortunately, but hey.....I don't care). ;-)

Gavin Nugent · 3rd May 2011, 09:52 AM

A beautiful and rare grouping/find Maurice...steering away from Borneo perhaps :-)))
The Balato is in super fine conditon too...could you please share an image of it out of the sheath.
You know how much I love spears too.....please show more!!!!!

Gav

Indianajones · 3rd May 2011, 10:03 AM

Indeed very nice Nias items; quality! By the way, I would not bother the 'so-called missing amulates' as I think they have never been on there! Fabtastic patine also.
Congrats

kai · 3rd May 2011, 10:59 AM

Congrats, Maurice!

I like the understatement expressed by the balato pommel. I'm with Gav - more pics of all pieces, please!

Kai

Maurice · 3rd May 2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebooter

A beautiful and rare grouping/find Maurice...steering away from Borneo perhaps :-)))
The Balato is in super fine conditon too...could you please share an image of it out of the sheath.
You know how much I love spears too.....please show more!!!!!

Gav

Thanks Gav,

Never steering away from Borneo, but my interests in some "outside" Borneo areas are growing by the minute.

The balato is indeed in a very good condition. No damages or missing chips whatsoever, only 4 ratan bands around the scabbard are missing.
It has a nice old patina allover, and especially the handle shows glossy patina of handling.
Here some images of the balato out of the scabbard and a better image of the ratan ball.

Maurice

Maurice · 3rd May 2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Congrats, Maurice!

I like the understatement expressed by the balato pommel. I'm with Gav - more pics of all pieces, please!

Kai

Thanks Kai,

Yes I like the expression of the pommel also very much.
Especially that little scroll on the top.
I've seen this version sometimes on old images/collections, but than the two protrusions are both equally long, not with one shorter little curl....

Maurice

Maurice · 3rd May 2011, 11:49 AM

Here some images of both lances.
The wooden shaft butts of both lances have a metal point.
Only one has a lot of ratan bands (more than 100) around the wooden shaft.

Gavin Nugent · 3rd May 2011, 12:00 PM

Thank you Maurice, very nice indeed....the forum now needs sound and a wolf whistle icon, these are some exotic lookers seldom seen or discussed.
I am looking forward to sitting back and learning some more about these in particular about the lances as I like 'em long.

Gav

Maurice · 3rd May 2011, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indianajones

Indeed very nice Nias items; quality! By the way, I would not bother the 'so-called missing amulates' as I think they have never been on there! Fabtastic patine also.
Congrats

Thank you!
I'm not bothered about the missing charms.
It seemed that Nias people didn't bother to give away/sell their sword, but the balls with idols and charms where taken off before.

Sajen · 3rd May 2011, 01:59 PM

Hi Maurice,

nice grab of three rare outstanding pieces.

Regards,

Detlef

CharlesS · 3rd May 2011, 05:14 PM

Very nice pieces Maurice. I really love the elegant spears.

David · 3rd May 2011, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indianajones

Indeed very nice Nias items; quality! By the way, I would not bother the 'so-called missing amulates' as I think they have never been on there!

Since no one else has asked i guess i will. Why do you believe that there were never any "amulets" contained within the ball of this sheath?

VVV · 3rd May 2011, 06:52 PM

Congratulations Maurice,

It looks like a beautiful patina on all 3 and the hilt is very unusual.

Michael

ThePepperSkull · 3rd May 2011, 07:52 PM

Oh my goodness, that Balato is breathtaking. It steals the show in that small Nias grouping. Well done! How'd you end up with these?

Henk · 3rd May 2011, 08:10 PM

Maurice,

I'm looking a little bit green. But i'm sure i'm not the only one here and in the area where you live. Congrats, breathtaking!!

ronpakis · 3rd May 2011, 09:14 PM

do you perhaps mean to say that you found these on april 30th???!!! They are really beautifull, congrats!

Greetings Ron

asomotif · 4th May 2011, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Why do you believe that there were never any "amulets" contained within the ball of this sheath?

Nice balato Maurice.
Nice spears too.

Rattan ball looks great and original to me.
Are there signs that amulets have been attached in the past ?

Jonno · 4th May 2011, 07:25 AM

Very nice items Maurice.
Beautiful colors and patin on the ratan bands.

The Balato is great!!!

Maurice · 4th May 2011, 08:40 AM

Thank you all for your comments!

The patina indeed is beautifull and I can't see any evidence that amulets were attached at the ball. They could also be kept inside the ball....
Both ways were possible.

Maurice

Alam Shah · 22nd July 2011, 04:23 AM

Hi all,

I am just wondering.. what is the meaning to the term "Balato"?

Robert · 22nd July 2011, 04:59 AM

Maurice, I cannot believe that I missed this when you first posted these. What absolutely beautiful pieces and in such pristine condition.

My very envious congratulations to you on being able to acquire three such wonderful items for your collection.

Robert

Maurice · 22nd July 2011, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alam Shah

Hi all,

I am just wondering.. what is the meaning to the term "Balato"?

Hi Shah,

The meaning of the term "Ballátu" according Elio Modigliani means "knife".

Maurice · 22nd July 2011, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Coleman

Maurice, I cannot believe that I missed this when you first posted these. What absolutely beautiful pieces and in such pristine condition.

My very envious congratulations to you on being able to acquire three such wonderful items for your collection.

Robert

Thank you Robert,

But not that pristine, cause one "toho" unfortunately misses all the ratan bands....

Maurice

Battara · 22nd July 2011, 04:47 PM

I'm with Charles - love the spears especially.

VANDOO · 22nd July 2011, 05:54 PM

CONGRADULATIONS!! THE FORCE WAS WITH YOU WHEN YOU FOUND THESE

I LIKE ALL THREE ITEMS BUT THE SPEARS ARE A LOT MORE DIFFICULT TO COME BY AND THESE ARE FULL LEGNTH , COMPLETE AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION NOT TO MENTION BEAUTIFUL AND FLAMBOYANT IN FORM.

MOST COLLECTORS CAN ONLY DREAM OF FINDING THREE SUCH EXAMPLES AND IF FOUND FEW CAN AFFORD THEM SO IF THE PRICE WAS GOOD DO A FEW MORE STEPS OF YOUR HAPPY DANCE

.

Alam Shah · 22nd July 2011, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maurice

Hi Shah,

The meaning of the term "Ballátu" according Elio Modigliani means "knife".

Thanks Maurice..

3rd May 2011, 09:39 AM	#1
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,324	Small Nias collection. At a sudden I ran into some Nias pieces. Two status lances (from the same collection) and an old balato with original ratan ball. (amulets gone unfortunately, but hey.....I don't care). ;-) Attached Images

3rd May 2011, 09:52 AM	#2
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	WOW A beautiful and rare grouping/find Maurice...steering away from Borneo perhaps :-))) The Balato is in super fine conditon too...could you please share an image of it out of the sheath. You know how much I love spears too.....please show more!!!!! Gav Last edited by freebooter; 3rd May 2011 at 11:09 AM.

3rd May 2011, 11:49 AM	#7
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,324	Here some images of both lances. The wooden shaft butts of both lances have a metal point. Only one has a lot of ratan bands (more than 100) around the wooden shaft. Attached Images

3rd May 2011, 12:00 PM	#8
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	new icon Thank you Maurice, very nice indeed....the forum now needs sound and a wolf whistle icon, these are some exotic lookers seldom seen or discussed. I am looking forward to sitting back and learning some more about these in particular about the lances as I like 'em long. Gav

3rd May 2011, 09:14 PM	#16
ronpakis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: netherlands Posts: 75	at a sudden... do you perhaps mean to say that you found these on april 30th???!!! They are really beautifull, congrats! Greetings Ron

3rd May 2011, 10:03 AM	#3
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Indeed very nice Nias items; quality! By the way, I would not bother the 'so-called missing amulates' as I think they have never been on there! Fabtastic patine also. Congrats

3rd May 2011, 10:59 AM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,215	Congrats, Maurice! I like the understatement expressed by the balato pommel. I'm with Gav - more pics of all pieces, please! Kai

3rd May 2011, 01:59 PM	#10
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,469	Hi Maurice, nice grab of three rare outstanding pieces. Regards, Detlef

3rd May 2011, 05:14 PM	#11
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	Very nice pieces Maurice. I really love the elegant spears.

3rd May 2011, 06:52 PM	#13
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Congratulations Maurice, It looks like a beautiful patina on all 3 and the hilt is very unusual. Michael

3rd May 2011, 07:52 PM	#14
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Oh my goodness, that Balato is breathtaking. It steals the show in that small Nias grouping. Well done! How'd you end up with these?

3rd May 2011, 08:10 PM	#15
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Maurice, I'm looking a little bit green. But i'm sure i'm not the only one here and in the area where you live. Congrats, breathtaking!!

4th May 2011, 07:25 AM	#18
Jonno Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 51	Very nice items Maurice. Beautiful colors and patin on the ratan bands. The Balato is great!!!

4th May 2011, 08:40 AM	#19
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,324	Thank you all for your comments! The patina indeed is beautifull and I can't see any evidence that amulets were attached at the ball. They could also be kept inside the ball.... Both ways were possible. Maurice

22nd July 2011, 04:23 AM	#20
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	meaning of Balato Hi all, I am just wondering.. what is the meaning to the term "Balato"?

22nd July 2011, 04:59 AM	#21
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Maurice, I cannot believe that I missed this when you first posted these. What absolutely beautiful pieces and in such pristine condition. My very envious congratulations to you on being able to acquire three such wonderful items for your collection. Robert

22nd July 2011, 04:47 PM	#24
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	I'm with Charles - love the spears especially.

22nd July 2011, 05:54 PM	#25
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	CONGRADULATIONS!! THE FORCE WAS WITH YOU WHEN YOU FOUND THESE I LIKE ALL THREE ITEMS BUT THE SPEARS ARE A LOT MORE DIFFICULT TO COME BY AND THESE ARE FULL LEGNTH , COMPLETE AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION NOT TO MENTION BEAUTIFUL AND FLAMBOYANT IN FORM. MOST COLLECTORS CAN ONLY DREAM OF FINDING THREE SUCH EXAMPLES AND IF FOUND FEW CAN AFFORD THEM SO IF THE PRICE WAS GOOD DO A FEW MORE STEPS OF YOUR HAPPY DANCE .