Very old beladah belabang

VVV · 22nd June 2011, 07:59 AM

Here is a quite old beladah belabang, the sabre of the Malays in South Borneo.
This one has a heavier blade shape than the later ones. The hilt also has a more distinct Borneo look than the ones from the late 1800's which more and more resembled European hilts. Also the vine motif on this blade is quite different than the later ones.
Together with the one Charles posted in this thread
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6191
this is probably one of the earliest versions.

Michael

CharlesS · 22nd June 2011, 12:12 PM

Great one VVV....surely one of the best I have seen. Thanks for sharing.

A.alnakkas · 22nd June 2011, 12:31 PM

Such a beautiful piece. Are these used by muslims?

I see that it very much resembles an ottoman pala, perhaps it was inspired by the ottoman arms?

Spunjer · 22nd June 2011, 02:49 PM

beautiful piece, michael! is the handle on that banati?

Maurice · 22nd June 2011, 03:15 PM

Congratulations Michael.

A very beautifull piece. I really like the carvings on the handle and the floral motifs in the blade!

Maurice

VVV · 22nd June 2011, 08:01 PM

Thanks,

Yes they were carried by the Muslim Malays in the south. They also carried, for instance, local versions of jambiyas. The Dayaks used other kind of swords.
I don't know enough about ottoman arms to answer your question but maybe someone else (like Charles) does?
I don't think it's banati but I will check closer when I am back home again.

Michael

22nd June 2011, 07:59 AM	#1
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Very old beladah belabang Here is a quite old beladah belabang, the sabre of the Malays in South Borneo. This one has a heavier blade shape than the later ones. The hilt also has a more distinct Borneo look than the ones from the late 1800's which more and more resembled European hilts. Also the vine motif on this blade is quite different than the later ones. Together with the one Charles posted in this thread http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6191 this is probably one of the earliest versions. Michael Attached Images

22nd June 2011, 12:12 PM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	Great one VVV....surely one of the best I have seen. Thanks for sharing.

22nd June 2011, 12:31 PM	#3
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,338	Such a beautiful piece. Are these used by muslims? I see that it very much resembles an ottoman pala, perhaps it was inspired by the ottoman arms?

22nd June 2011, 02:49 PM	#4
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	beautiful piece, michael! is the handle on that banati?

22nd June 2011, 03:15 PM	#5
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,324	Congratulations Michael. A very beautifull piece. I really like the carvings on the handle and the floral motifs in the blade! Maurice

22nd June 2011, 08:01 PM	#6
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks, Yes they were carried by the Muslim Malays in the south. They also carried, for instance, local versions of jambiyas. The Dayaks used other kind of swords. I don't know enough about ottoman arms to answer your question but maybe someone else (like Charles) does? I don't think it's banati but I will check closer when I am back home again. Michael