Square Line pattern Ilang

VVV · 11th December 2010, 03:52 PM

First time I saw this Parang was at a Danish auction house over 4 years ago.
I was in company with the late Karsten Sejr Jensen but none of us bid on it because a Danish Borneo collector friend of us wanted it and it as the only mandau at the auction. And there were several nice keris, kris and other goodies for us so...
But last month I managed to get it so here it is.
I think it's from NW Borneo but open for other suggestions?

Michael

PS Close up of the hilt at the Face Gallery.

Maurice · 11th December 2010, 05:41 PM

Hi Michael,

An intriging beautifully carved handle!
Seadajak?

Maurice

VVV · 12th December 2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maurice

Seadajak?

To me it looks more like Dusun.
Compare the examples in Hein's Indonesische Schwertgriffe (Marudubai)

Michael

David · 12th December 2010, 04:12 PM

Ahhh Michael....i will be raiding your house sometime soon, i am sure...

Sajen · 12th December 2010, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Ahhh Michael....i will be raiding your house sometime soon, i am sure...

I come with you, I am sure it's enough for both of us!

VVV · 12th December 2010, 08:38 PM

Your are both welcome.
But beware, I am well armed...

Michael

asomotif · 13th December 2010, 11:16 PM

Michael,

NW Borneo for sure, but I never know when I should start calling something Murut.

The square pattern is only on one side ?
Do you have close ups of the other decorations ?
Maybe the lines / squares are more a coastal influence from other parts of the archipelago

I have a hilt with similar features that has a imho chinese dragon carved.
That must be a coastal influence too, I assume.

Maurice · 14th December 2010, 12:08 AM

The Muruts and Dusun were living in the north east part of Borneo:Sabah, and not in the NW part of Borneo???
Or am I misreading something here?

Maurice

VVV · 14th December 2010, 06:51 AM

Maurice, to me the Western part of Sabah, like Marudu Bay, is NW Borneo

Willem, the square pattern is only on one side and the other side has a scroll motif. I don't recall a resembling motif from other parts of the archipelago but I am open for suggestions?
On yours the interesting dragon probably is a Chinese influence, as you suggested.

Michael

asomotif · 14th December 2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

I don't recall a resembling motif from other parts of the archipelago but I am open for suggestions?

I was thinking of balinese offering knives / betelnutcutters
They have line work inlays. Not the same. but that is the closest link I can think of.

Gustav · 14th December 2010, 12:53 PM

Maybe is the square pattern an imitation on a plaiting pattern? These have been imitated on earthware, and I recall, in Solyoms Keris book there is a depiction of javanese pendoks with a plaited motif. Was it called "burning incense" on Java and have a protective meaning? I don't have this book, so I am not 100% sure.

VVV · 16th December 2010, 10:36 AM

Thanks Gustav and Willem,

I just checked Solyom. It's described on page 58 and you remember correctly.
It seems like a probable clue to this motif.

Michael

VANDOO · 17th December 2010, 07:04 AM

THE DRAGON HANDLE ASOMOTIF POSTED COULD BE THE ASO (DOG DRAGON) IT IS AN OLD DESIGN OFTEN SEEN REPRESENTED IN MANY FORMS. THIS PICTURE OF SOME OLD EXAMPLES THE HEADS RESEMBLE THE MANDAU HILT. THE DESIGN COULD STILL BE INFLUENCED BY THE CHINESE AS THEY HAVE TRADED IN THE AREA FOR A LONG TIME.
THESE TWO CARVINGS ARE ATTRIBUTED TO THE KENYAH/ KAYAN GROUPS.

Gustav · 22nd February 2011, 09:59 PM

Michael, take a look at this: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10847!

Both patterns on one blade! I think now, it's clearly protective.

Maurice · 23rd February 2011, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustav

Michael, take a look at this: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10847!

Both patterns on one blade! I think now, it's clearly protective.

That's for sure the most interesting klewang from the Banjarmasin area.
But also it's coming from a complete different part as the mandau Michael posted.

KuKulzA28 · 23rd February 2011, 03:35 AM

the traditional craftsmanship of Borneo never ceased to amaze me... I really like that parang.

11th December 2010, 03:52 PM	#1
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Square Line pattern Ilang First time I saw this Parang was at a Danish auction house over 4 years ago. I was in company with the late Karsten Sejr Jensen but none of us bid on it because a Danish Borneo collector friend of us wanted it and it as the only mandau at the auction. And there were several nice keris, kris and other goodies for us so... But last month I managed to get it so here it is. I think it's from NW Borneo but open for other suggestions? Michael PS Close up of the hilt at the Face Gallery. Attached Images

13th December 2010, 11:16 PM	#7
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,221	Michael, NW Borneo for sure, but I never know when I should start calling something Murut. The square pattern is only on one side ? Do you have close ups of the other decorations ? Maybe the lines / squares are more a coastal influence from other parts of the archipelago I have a hilt with similar features that has a imho chinese dragon carved. That must be a coastal influence too, I assume. Attached Images

14th December 2010, 06:51 AM	#9
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Maurice, to me the Western part of Sabah, like Marudu Bay, is NW Borneo Willem, the square pattern is only on one side and the other side has a scroll motif. I don't recall a resembling motif from other parts of the archipelago but I am open for suggestions? On yours the interesting dragon probably is a Chinese influence, as you suggested. Michael Attached Images

17th December 2010, 07:04 AM	#13
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THE DRAGON HANDLE ASOMOTIF POSTED COULD BE THE ASO (DOG DRAGON) IT IS AN OLD DESIGN OFTEN SEEN REPRESENTED IN MANY FORMS. THIS PICTURE OF SOME OLD EXAMPLES THE HEADS RESEMBLE THE MANDAU HILT. THE DESIGN COULD STILL BE INFLUENCED BY THE CHINESE AS THEY HAVE TRADED IN THE AREA FOR A LONG TIME. THESE TWO CARVINGS ARE ATTRIBUTED TO THE KENYAH/ KAYAN GROUPS. Attached Images

11th December 2010, 05:41 PM	#2
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,324	Hi Michael, An intriging beautifully carved handle! Seadajak? Maurice

12th December 2010, 04:12 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,031	Ahhh Michael....i will be raiding your house sometime soon, i am sure...

12th December 2010, 08:38 PM	#6
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Your are both welcome. But beware, I am well armed... Michael

14th December 2010, 12:08 AM	#8
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,324	The Muruts and Dusun were living in the north east part of Borneo:Sabah, and not in the NW part of Borneo??? Or am I misreading something here? Maurice

14th December 2010, 12:53 PM	#11
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,196	Maybe is the square pattern an imitation on a plaiting pattern? These have been imitated on earthware, and I recall, in Solyoms Keris book there is a depiction of javanese pendoks with a plaited motif. Was it called "burning incense" on Java and have a protective meaning? I don't have this book, so I am not 100% sure.

16th December 2010, 10:36 AM	#12
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks Gustav and Willem, I just checked Solyom. It's described on page 58 and you remember correctly. It seems like a probable clue to this motif. Michael

22nd February 2011, 09:59 PM	#14
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,196	Michael, take a look at this: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10847! Both patterns on one blade! I think now, it's clearly protective.

23rd February 2011, 03:35 AM	#16
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	the traditional craftsmanship of Borneo never ceased to amaze me... I really like that parang.