Indonesian( ?) short sword

francantolin · 6th June 2020, 05:46 PM

Hello everybody,

I would like your opinion and knowledge about this item,
It's not my area but it seems quite old ( 19th ?) and an authentic tribal piece,
maybe indonesian ?

it was sold as a sword but I find its quite small, 53cm / less than 21 inches long
more a machete ?!?

The hilt is made of wood maybe of horn with silver inserts
( and silver on the scabbard ? )

There is I think a missing piece at the end of the hilt.

Glad if you help to fix it

Kind regards

Sajen · 6th June 2020, 05:54 PM

Hello,

It's a Karo Batak kalasan! The missing piece at the handle would be a silver sheet. Nice piece with an unusual handle.

Regards,
Detlef

francantolin · 6th June 2020, 07:33 PM

Hello,

Thank you for fix it !

Do you think the hilt is a later replacement ?

It seems horn but can be hard exotic wood

asomotif · 6th June 2020, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francantolin

Do you think the hilt is a later replacement ?

Yep, I do.

Sajen · 7th June 2020, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

Yep, I do.

Hello Willem,

Why? I really think that the handle is original, the motif/ornament on it is typical a Karo Batak motif. I've never seen such an handle before but I have no doubt that it's original to the blade.

Regards,
Detlef

asomotif · 7th June 2020, 11:54 AM

Hello Detlef,

The hilt and scabbard are very different in style and craftmanship. So I think the handle was added later. Which is not a bad thing persé.

@ Francantolin, do you have a picture of the kalasan in the sheet, to see how the handle connects with the scabbard ?

Best regards,
Willem

Interested Party · 6th June 2020, 08:03 PM

From what I can tell the Batak are mainly Christian/Muslim, yet the choil seems to be a shiva linga to me. Is there any more knowledgeable member out there able to amend my ignorance? Sorry for the pun.

francantolin · 6th June 2020, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Interested Party

From what I can tell the Batak are mainly Christian/Muslim, yet the choil seems to be a shiva linga to me. Is there any more knowledgeable member out there able to amend my ignorance? Sorry for the pun.

Yes, it looks like the symbol often seen on kukri daggers...
a strange ? interesting mix ?...

francantolin · 6th June 2020, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Interested Party

From what I can tell the Batak are mainly Christian/Muslim, yet the choil seems to be a shiva linga to me. Is there any more knowledgeable member out there able to amend my ignorance? Sorry for the pun.

Just found this one , same motif, sold as a karo batak kalasan too by specialists

... a mix of differents cultures/symbols ...

6th June 2020, 05:46 PM	#1
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 818	Indonesian( ?) short sword Hello everybody, I would like your opinion and knowledge about this item, It's not my area but it seems quite old ( 19th ?) and an authentic tribal piece, maybe indonesian ? it was sold as a sword but I find its quite small, 53cm / less than 21 inches long more a machete ?!? The hilt is made of wood maybe of horn with silver inserts ( and silver on the scabbard ? ) There is I think a missing piece at the end of the hilt. Glad if you help to fix it Kind regards Attached Images

6th June 2020, 05:54 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,494	Hello, It's a Karo Batak kalasan! The missing piece at the handle would be a silver sheet. Nice piece with an unusual handle. Regards, Detlef

6th June 2020, 07:33 PM	#3
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 818	Hello, Thank you for fix it ! Do you think the hilt is a later replacement ? It seems horn but can be hard exotic wood

7th June 2020, 11:54 AM	#6
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,221	Hello Detlef, The hilt and scabbard are very different in style and craftmanship. So I think the handle was added later. Which is not a bad thing persé. @ Francantolin, do you have a picture of the kalasan in the sheet, to see how the handle connects with the scabbard ? Best regards, Willem

6th June 2020, 08:03 PM	#7
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 387	From what I can tell the Batak are mainly Christian/Muslim, yet the choil seems to be a shiva linga to me. Is there any more knowledgeable member out there able to amend my ignorance? Sorry for the pun.