Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 102:
A distinctive Bornean sword of the Iban Dayak, called a Mandau or Parang Ihlang, these swords are found in 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 theconstructions, materials, and workmanship. The Mandau blade has a convex shape on one sideand somewhat concave on the other. The blades are often made of tempered metal and in somecases 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 carvingdetails varying across the many tribes of the Dayak, but often depict creatures oranthropomorphic deities. The scabbards of some of the finer swords will often depict varioussymbols, such as the mata kalung (necklace eye; parallel two dots with a carving beneath), mubung bilah (tomb of ancient kings), kalung telu, kalung helat, and kalung aso lejo (tiger).Some blades will include decoration with holesfilled with brass and are called Lantak Pakusuch as this blade.This example in the Schmiedt Collection forexample has nicely carved hilt. The hilt alsoinlaid with long tufts of black hair likelyhuman. The blade is a relatively simple styleand inlaid with brass dots near the tip, and withsome minimal fretwork along the slope of theblade. In this case Shelford (1901) refers tothis type of blade, transcribing the Kajamans ofthe Belaga district, as song bila, referring tofretwork along the slope of the blade butwithout the complex iron carving found onother Mandau swords. The well-madescabbard is decorated with various charmsincluding animal teeth and strung with beads.The multi colored beadwork is most similar tothat done by the Kayan tribe and who were themost accomplished beadwork artists amongstthe Dayak.Likely dating to the late 19th to early 20th century.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 26 1/2" Blade Length : 19 1/4" References:1. Van Zonneveld, A.G. (2002). Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago.Koninklyk Instituut Voor Taal Land2. Heppell, M., et al, (2005) Iban Art: Sexual Selection and Severed Heads, C.Zwartenkot/Kit Publishers3. Sellato, B. (ed.), Plaited Arts from the Borneo Rainforest, NIAS Press, 20124. Fischer, H.W. (1909) Katalog des ethnographischen Reichsmuseums- Die Inselnringsum Sumatra, (vol. 4, Leiden)5. 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]
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