Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 116:
A rare sword of the Nias islands near Sumatra, this sword is called a balato and is of the classic balato form but with the distinctive carved hilt in the form of a dragonhead called a lasara. The balato is the classic and well recognized Nias warriors sword and comes in a variety of shapes. This relatively typical Balato has a form that closely follows the traditional Lasara (dragon head) hilt and which can be seen illustrated in Modigliani (1890). While the classic balato is considered to be a traditional headhunters sword the more common domestic knife of the Nias takes a similar form. The headhunters swords are distinguished by their longer blades, such as this example. The blades are generally not laminated and can have various forms, the common factors are: a single edge that starts only a few centimeters from the hilt and more or less widening to the point.The Schmiedt Collection example has a well carved and nicely patinated handle with a sculptural creature design carved in the pommel. The curled whorls likely represent boars tusks while the creature sitting astride the pommel is called a bechu zocha, a spirit who hunts and feeds on mens shadows, just as men feed on pigs. This image can be regarded as a talisman working against the misfortunes that the bechu zocha spirit would ordinarily bring (Brenner-Felsach 1998). Because of the spirit’s thirst for blood and its prominence on the headhunter’s sabre, the image was believed to have increased the warrior’s strength. This particular form of hilt is called niobawa lawolo and is cut in the form of the lasara with the open mouth and striking teeth. This hilt is the most common form of hilt found on Nias and comes in a variety of forms from more realistic to abstract types (Van Zonneveld 2001). The scabbard is of two pieces of wood secured with strips of rattan, while the talismanic basket at the top of the scabbard is of classic shape and decorated with charms of various types and in some places held in place with metal wire, indicating a 20th century dating. The blade now with pitting from age. The Schmiedt Collection example here, has an interesting charm basket, or raga ifoboaya, whereas most are decorated with animal teeth, this example has multiple charms, which is less commonly found. Modigliani writes in 1890 that: In the south of the island, the sabre evokes moments of glory in the mind of the warrior-headhunter and is girdled with precious idols that have protected him and will continue to protect him in the future. The idols are always attached to a ball of braided rattan which is bound to the sheath with pieces of vegetable cord. . . . The amulets are sometimes inserted inside the ball, and are always wrapped with pieces of cotton and firmly tied. Balato are difficult to date accurately, but this example likely dates to the first half of 20th C.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 28 1/4" Blade Length : 19"References:1. Van Zonneveld, A.G. (2001) Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago. Leiden: Art Books2. Viaro, M. A. (2001). Ceremonial sabres of nias headhunters in indonesia. Arts Et Cultures, 3, 150-171.3. Fischer, H.W. (1909) Katalog des ethnographischen Reichsmuseums- Die Inseln ringsum Sumatra, (vol. 4, Leiden)4. Modigiliani, E. (1890) Un viaggio a Nias.5. Brenner-Felsach, Joachim Freiherr von. Eine Reise nach Nias, die Indonesienexpedition 1887, edited by Reinhold MittersakschmÃĦller, 171â€â€œ75. Vienna: 1998.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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