Interesting Rentcong Perhaps for a Princely Child??

CharlesS · 14th October 2008, 05:11 PM

This unusual, but beautiful, rentcong is of high quality silver from top to bottom, including the blade!!

It clearly was never intended for use, but likely for status wear. It is only about 11in. overall, so I am assuming it is for a child.

RSWORD · 14th October 2008, 09:55 PM

I once read somewhere that the ivory blades with beautifully carved ivory hilts sometimes found in dha were presumabley worn at court so that those closest to the king could not assassinate. Perhaps it is a status symbol to be worn at court but with silver blade so that the king was not in jeopardy of being attacked?

Robert · 14th October 2008, 10:26 PM

A silver blade if treated properly when made would still be deadly.

Rick · 14th October 2008, 11:09 PM

Simply beautiful .
Cold forging would harden the silver ?

2.5 inches can kill .

Robert · 14th October 2008, 11:22 PM

Cold forging or just cooling the blade very slowly would give the silver enough strength to be used as a weapon. What the actual silver content of the blade is and what it is mixed with would also make a difference. I have seen a dagger with a nickel silver blade stab through a pine 1X4 without bending.

Robert

Battara · 15th October 2008, 02:12 AM

What a wonderful puppy! (and on my wish list for Christmas, hint, hint....

)

Dajak · 15th October 2008, 04:33 AM

Hi Charles pieces like this are mostly use as letter opener by the Dutch people never for carrying or fighting .

I did have many off them they mostly souvenirs items .

Ben

VVV · 15th October 2008, 06:20 AM

Charles,

I think it's neither for a child nor a souvenir specifically for the Dutch.
The size is like the smaller, maybe for city or ceremonial use, rencong.
The hilt looks like traditional style and the silver sheath, with resembling motifs, I have seen on other 20th C rencong and sewar.
At the moment I don't have my Hands of Time-book around but I think B Leigh mentions silver blades?
Also that there are some knives with resembling sheaths from the local museum and local private collectors in this book?
Usually this kind of hilt has a layer of gold over the silver.
I have the impression that this style of rencong is maybe mid 20th C and made for formal use, like traditional weddings?

Michael

CharlesS · 15th October 2008, 01:05 PM

Knowing the collection this came from dating it to 20th Century makes sense, but I would be very surprised if it were a tourist piece....just not consistent with the remainder of the collection. I would have to agree with Michael on this one.

asomotif · 18th October 2008, 12:30 AM

20th century / souvernir

I don't know, but sure would like to have this one as an e-mail opener next to my computer

14th October 2008, 05:11 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	Interesting Rentcong Perhaps for a Princely Child?? This unusual, but beautiful, rentcong is of high quality silver from top to bottom, including the blade!! It clearly was never intended for use, but likely for status wear. It is only about 11in. overall, so I am assuming it is for a child. Attached Images

15th October 2008, 02:12 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	What a wonderful puppy! (and on my wish list for Christmas, hint, hint....)

14th October 2008, 09:55 PM	#2
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,083	I once read somewhere that the ivory blades with beautifully carved ivory hilts sometimes found in dha were presumabley worn at court so that those closest to the king could not assassinate. Perhaps it is a status symbol to be worn at court but with silver blade so that the king was not in jeopardy of being attacked?

14th October 2008, 10:26 PM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	A silver blade if treated properly when made would still be deadly.

14th October 2008, 11:09 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	Simply beautiful . Cold forging would harden the silver ? 2.5 inches can kill .

14th October 2008, 11:22 PM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Cold forging or just cooling the blade very slowly would give the silver enough strength to be used as a weapon. What the actual silver content of the blade is and what it is mixed with would also make a difference. I have seen a dagger with a nickel silver blade stab through a pine 1X4 without bending. Robert

15th October 2008, 04:33 AM	#7
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi Charles pieces like this are mostly use as letter opener by the Dutch people never for carrying or fighting . I did have many off them they mostly souvenirs items . Ben

15th October 2008, 06:20 AM	#8
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Charles, I think it's neither for a child nor a souvenir specifically for the Dutch. The size is like the smaller, maybe for city or ceremonial use, rencong. The hilt looks like traditional style and the silver sheath, with resembling motifs, I have seen on other 20th C rencong and sewar. At the moment I don't have my Hands of Time-book around but I think B Leigh mentions silver blades? Also that there are some knives with resembling sheaths from the local museum and local private collectors in this book? Usually this kind of hilt has a layer of gold over the silver. I have the impression that this style of rencong is maybe mid 20th C and made for formal use, like traditional weddings? Michael

15th October 2008, 01:05 PM	#9
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	Knowing the collection this came from dating it to 20th Century makes sense, but I would be very surprised if it were a tourist piece....just not consistent with the remainder of the collection. I would have to agree with Michael on this one.

18th October 2008, 12:30 AM	#10
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,221	20th century / souvernir I don't know, but sure would like to have this one as an e-mail opener next to my computer