Fall Fine Antique Arms, Armor & Art, Oct.26th
Lot 5262:
A distinctive Bornean sword of the Iban Dayak, called a Mandau or Parang Ihlang, these swords are found throughout institutional and private collections in varying degrees of quality. They are distinguished by a set of similar features, all varying in the level of quality of the constructions, materials, and workmanship. The Mandau blade has a convex shape on one side and somewhat concave on the other. The blades are often made of tempered metal and in some cases may display a lamellar pattern, similar to the pamor found on Indonesian kris blades, though this is highly uncommon. The hilts are often delicately carved with various carving details varying across the many tribes of the Dayak, but often depict creatures or anthropomorphic deities. The scabbards of some of the finer swords will often depict various symbols, and may include various charms include animals teeth, shells, and beads or stags horn. The blade is a simple style with the blade tip most closely related to the style called lid-jib based on research from 1888 from the Dutch resident in Koetei, where the Kayan tribe made mandaus of this form and style (Tromp1888). The original scabbard is well made, bound with rattan and with charms and toggles, and includes a piso raut side knife used for wood and rattan carving. The flat slope of the blade in this example, cut in the form, according to Shelford (1901), transcribing the Kajamans of the Belaga district is also referred as song ikang, referring to the hooks and frets along slope of the blade. The blade of this sword appears to show a simple lamellar pattern as well which is uncommon on Dayak swords of this type .Dating to the 1st half of the 20th century. Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 27" Blade Length : 19 1/2".
References:
1. Van Zonneveld, A.G. (2002). Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago. Koninklyk Instituut Voor Taal Land
2. Heppell, M., et al, (2005) Iban Art: Sexual Selection and Severed Heads, C. Zwartenkot/Kit Publishers
3. Sellato, B. (ed.), Plaited Arts from the Borneo Rainforest, NIAS Press, 2012
4. Fischer, H.W. (1909) Katalog des ethnographischen Reichsmuseums- Die Inselnringsum Sumatra, (vol. 4, Leiden)
5. Tromp, S.W. (1888) Medeelingen Omtrent Mandaus. Internationales Archiv Ethnographie. Band 1. Pp.22-266. Shelford, R. (1901) A provisional classification of the swords of the Sarawak tribes. Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. Vol. 31.
Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected].
****All items are sold AS IS and WHERE IS. Although Auctioneer makes every effort to express accurate descriptions and commentary given to Buyers online, in Auctioneer’s catalogue, marketing material or verbal interactions, Auctioneer makes no guarantee or warranty of any kind with respect to the physical condition, size, quality, rarity, medium and materials, age, authenticity, provenance, culture, source, or historic significance of any goods. Employees, consignors, or any other representative of SOFE DESIGN AUCTIONS are not authorized to provide written or verbal guarantees. Buyers must depend on their own review of the merchandise. All merchandise is sold AS IS, WHERE IS, regardless of condition, or additional review of merchandise gained after the sale. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. SOFE DESIGN AUCTIONS does not give refunds.
SOFE AUCTIONS ARE PLEASED TO OFFER IN-HOUSE PACKAGING AND SHIPPING SERVICES.
PACKAGING SERVICE ONLY: start at $25 and up depending on item/s.
AVAILABLE IN-HOUSE shipping is within the USA of small, medium, semi-large, NON-FRAGILE items.
SOFE WON’T ship items in glass frames.
After paying for your item/s please call SOFE at 469-268-1177, or email us at [email protected] to request a quote.
All item/s will be shipped via UPS or FedEx, FULLY insured, unless insurance declined in writing by the buyer.
SOFE AUCTIONS does not use USPS.
We do have a list of suggested third-party shippers. Please visit our webpage for a list of recommended shippers.
Share this lot:
