Mandau hilt without decorations

asomotif · 17th January 2007, 12:17 PM

I recently bought this mandau with a very plain hilt.
The hilt looks original, the blade has copper inlays, the scabbard has some decorations and a well made carrying band.
On top of the hilt is a small hole and some resin where a tuft of hair was placed?

Are there other collectos with similar plain undecorated hilts ?
Any idea on age / origin amongst us ?

Thanks for any comments.
Willem

VVV · 17th January 2007, 01:34 PM

Willem,

The answer is that it's either quite old or quite recent, probably the first alternative in your case.

You should try to find the article by Tromp on Mandaus from Koetei where the old hilts like yours are described. Several of the old ones have very minimalistic hilts like yours.
In later days you also see undecorated hilts but then it's probably because of that the Dayaks has converted to Christianity and the local priest doesn't want them to have hilts with design in the style of the old beliefs.

From your pictures it's hard to see the patina on the hilt.
Also it would be interesting to see the blade and sheath?

Ben has a very good Jimpul with a minimalistic hilt like yours.
And I have this Mandau (originally Ben's) that was collected by Nieuwenhuis in the late 19th C.

Michael

asomotif · 17th January 2007, 02:49 PM

Dear Michael,

Thanks for the detailled info.
The Nieuwenhuis mandau is really great. how could Ben ever let this go

The pictures are very poor due to bad light and low value camera, but enclosed 2 pictures of the carving on the scabbard.
There is no patina on the mandau, but also no wear and tear on the the whole piece. early collected

VVV · 17th January 2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

...The Nieuwenhuis mandau is really great. how could Ben ever let this go

...

Thanks Willem,

Actually he got a fantastic Pakayun in the trade and now and then I ask myself how I ever could let that go?

So it was a typical win-win...

It's a pity about the blurred pictures because I can't really see, like you write, any patina etc. which makes it very hard to comment it further.

Michael

Dajak · 17th January 2007, 06:23 PM

Hi Michael and Willem if I look at the pakayun I know why I let the mandau go

Here I have an Jimpul very old one with an plain handle and very heavy looks like an latok handle

you can see traces off the brass wire

Scabbard same style as the Oldman Jimpul

Dajak · 18th January 2007, 03:02 AM

I just look in Blink s book there are mandau hilt s without decorations but different than your s one Willem .

Ben

17th January 2007, 12:17 PM	#1
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,221	Mandau hilt without decorations I recently bought this mandau with a very plain hilt. The hilt looks original, the blade has copper inlays, the scabbard has some decorations and a well made carrying band. On top of the hilt is a small hole and some resin where a tuft of hair was placed? Are there other collectos with similar plain undecorated hilts ? Any idea on age / origin amongst us ? Thanks for any comments. Willem Attached Images

17th January 2007, 01:34 PM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Willem, The answer is that it's either quite old or quite recent, probably the first alternative in your case. You should try to find the article by Tromp on Mandaus from Koetei where the old hilts like yours are described. Several of the old ones have very minimalistic hilts like yours. In later days you also see undecorated hilts but then it's probably because of that the Dayaks has converted to Christianity and the local priest doesn't want them to have hilts with design in the style of the old beliefs. From your pictures it's hard to see the patina on the hilt. Also it would be interesting to see the blade and sheath? Ben has a very good Jimpul with a minimalistic hilt like yours. And I have this Mandau (originally Ben's) that was collected by Nieuwenhuis in the late 19th C. Michael Attached Images

17th January 2007, 02:49 PM	#3
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,221	Dear Michael, Thanks for the detailled info. The Nieuwenhuis mandau is really great. how could Ben ever let this go The pictures are very poor due to bad light and low value camera, but enclosed 2 pictures of the carving on the scabbard. There is no patina on the mandau, but also no wear and tear on the the whole piece. early collected Attached Images

17th January 2007, 06:23 PM	#5
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi Michael and Willem if I look at the pakayun I know why I let the mandau go Here I have an Jimpul very old one with an plain handle and very heavy looks like an latok handle you can see traces off the brass wire Scabbard same style as the Oldman Jimpul Attached Images Last edited by Dajak; 17th January 2007 at 06:39 PM.

18th January 2007, 03:02 AM	#6
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	I just look in Blink s book there are mandau hilt s without decorations but different than your s one Willem . Ben