A Batak Anomaly?

CharlesS · 4th July 2015, 10:38 PM

Here is a short sword, or dagger, that appears Batak in every way except for the unusual scabbard mouth of carved horn, and the hilt of carved hardwood, neither of which look like typical Batak forms. In both cases the carvings are of detailed floral motifs. The hilt ferrule may be swassa, but I suspect is copper. The scabbard is held together by super thin rattan bands.

The piece definitely has some age and a nice patina and the quality is too good for a tourist piece. There is always the possibility that the scabbard mouth and hilt are later replacements, but I really don't think that is the case here, and they clearly are en suite.

Is anyone familiar with this style or have any ideas about it?

Details:
Overall length: 20in.
Blade length: 15in.
Average width of the blade: 1/2in.

kronckew · 5th July 2015, 12:30 AM

kalisan in fancy dress? (see malay blades )

Maurice · 5th July 2015, 10:59 AM

Hi Charles,

Congratulations with this very nice piece!

I think it is another divergent version of a kelassan indeed.
The blade is batak, and the copper/suassa sleeve also.

I don't know about the handle and horn scabbardmouth (which is looking like a conch/shell to me).
Looks like it had been made in the shape we find on sewars?!
The scabbard with rattan is also something that Batak used to do with their scabbards. I have seen many kelassans with scabbards like this with rattan.

How is the fit when you slide the blade into the mouthpiece? Is the opening correct according the blade?

Kind regards,
Maurice

Sajen · 5th July 2015, 12:05 PM

Hello Charles,

I am in agreement with the others, it's a kalasan and a very nice one on top of that. I've seen it by ebay and was thinking to bid byself since I never before have seen this style. I have seen this style of carving by sewars before, special this spiral carving at the scabbard mouth. Like Maurice pointed out already are this very thin wooven rattan bands are typical, one of my two kalasan examples have it as well. Thank you for posting this interesting piece.

Regards,
Detlef

Maurice · 5th July 2015, 12:20 PM

Sorry...... wrong post...

Sajen · 5th July 2015, 03:22 PM

After looking again to your pictures, are you sure that the handle is hardwood? Look very similar to the material at the scabbard mouth, i.e., horn.

Regards,
Detlef

4th July 2015, 10:38 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	A Batak Anomaly? Here is a short sword, or dagger, that appears Batak in every way except for the unusual scabbard mouth of carved horn, and the hilt of carved hardwood, neither of which look like typical Batak forms. In both cases the carvings are of detailed floral motifs. The hilt ferrule may be swassa, but I suspect is copper. The scabbard is held together by super thin rattan bands. The piece definitely has some age and a nice patina and the quality is too good for a tourist piece. There is always the possibility that the scabbard mouth and hilt are later replacements, but I really don't think that is the case here, and they clearly are en suite. Is anyone familiar with this style or have any ideas about it? Details: Overall length: 20in. Blade length: 15in. Average width of the blade: 1/2in. Attached Images

5th July 2015, 12:30 AM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	kalisan in fancy dress? (see malay blades ) Attached Images

5th July 2015, 10:59 AM	#3
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,324	Hi Charles, Congratulations with this very nice piece! I think it is another divergent version of a kelassan indeed. The blade is batak, and the copper/suassa sleeve also. I don't know about the handle and horn scabbardmouth (which is looking like a conch/shell to me). Looks like it had been made in the shape we find on sewars?! The scabbard with rattan is also something that Batak used to do with their scabbards. I have seen many kelassans with scabbards like this with rattan. How is the fit when you slide the blade into the mouthpiece? Is the opening correct according the blade? Kind regards, Maurice

5th July 2015, 12:05 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,467	Hello Charles, I am in agreement with the others, it's a kalasan and a very nice one on top of that. I've seen it by ebay and was thinking to bid byself since I never before have seen this style. I have seen this style of carving by sewars before, special this spiral carving at the scabbard mouth. Like Maurice pointed out already are this very thin wooven rattan bands are typical, one of my two kalasan examples have it as well. Thank you for posting this interesting piece. Regards, Detlef

5th July 2015, 12:20 PM	#5
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,324	Sorry...... wrong post...

5th July 2015, 03:22 PM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,467	After looking again to your pictures, are you sure that the handle is hardwood? Look very similar to the material at the scabbard mouth, i.e., horn. Regards, Detlef