Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 113:
A distinctive sword of the Sea Dayak, called a Parang Jimpul, these swords arefound throughout institutional and private collections in varying degrees of quality though areconsidered an interesting transitional form between the langgai tingang and the Mandau.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, and may include various charms include animals teeth, shells, and beads.This example in the Schmiedt Collection has very finely carved hilt seemingly displaying theiconography of the leech (lemetek), which is traditionally based on scrolls and leech motifs. Thehilt also inlaid with shortened tufts of black and red tinted hair. The blade is of the classic jimpulform, with a long single fuller terminating in a curved form near the ricasso, and the bladedecorated with linear designs called kyan (Shelford 1901).Dating to the late 19th century.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 28 1/2" Blade Length : 18 1/2"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. Tromp, S.W. (1888) Medeelingen Omtrent Mandaus. Internationales Archiv fÃÆ’¼rEthnographie. 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. 31Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
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