Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 117:
A very rare sword of the Nias islands near Sumatra, this sword is called a balato and is of the classic balato form but with a highly distinct and finely patinated cast bronze handle of stylized balato hilt form. The Balato is the classic and well recognized Nias warriors sword and comes in a variety of shapes. It can be recognized by its hilt representing an animal’s head and has a brass ferrule. The wooden scabbard is decorated with a series of metal rings or rattan strips and in the south Nias, with a charm basket called a raga ifoboaya. The typical Balato has a Lasara (dragon head) hilt. 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. Hilts can vary from the more classically carved lasara hilt to those of more stylized design which are considered earlier examples. A similarly designed hilt to the Schmiedt Collection example can be found in the Wereldmuseum, Netherlands, collected circa 1940, though carved of wood and not cast in bronze such as this one. Another rare form in the Wereldmuseum deviates also from the classic Lasara form though not exactly similar to the example in the Schmiedt Collection and which was itself collected circa 1887. Another example of direct comparison in hilt style but carved in wood is in the Musee de Quai Branly. The form in the Schmiedt Collection, very rarely encountered, was documented in the classic work on Indonesian ethnography (Katalog des ethnographischen Reichsmuseums, Vol. 4) and reproduced in a line drawing in 1909, as Type 2, and of which nine are documented in the catalog as Type 2. Even earlier examples were documented by Elio Modigliano in 1890 in his classic work Un Viaggio a Nias where this form is considered the earliest in the progression of the style of handle.The balato is most classically associated with the headhunting tradition of the Nias. Chiefs paid warriors to perform the task of headhunting on their behalf and during peacetime, these hired warriors would hide at a bend in the path and take as victim the first person to pass by, whether it be a man, woman, or child. When warriors were unavailable, the chief slave was instead set to the task. The aim of headhunting was to take possession of the dead person’s soul, or life-force, and to offer it as a gift to the spirits. In this way, the chief acquired a form of guarantee for his afterlife. A victim’s soul also served as a substitute for a sick man’s soul and was used to heal the latter and appease the vindictive spirit, who was thought to have caused the illness. This sword is one of the superlative examples in the Schmiedt Collection and stands out for the rare form of hilt, complete condition, and the quality of workmanship. This distinctive form of stylized lasara hilt is called a niotaka waena from the South Nias term for "a hilt as a swallow". In this hilt the lips of the lasara mouth are stylized, flatly cut, and recede completely (Van Zonneveld 2001). While balato are difficult to date accurately, considering the earlier form of hilt, well documented institutional examples and early ethnographic literature, a 19th century attribution is reasonable as a true headhunters sword.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 30 1/2" Blade Length : 21"Comparable auction sales:1. https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot_details/?intobjectid=50058342. https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2014/collection-murray-frum-oceanie-pf1438/lot.45.html3. https://www.sothebys.com/es/auctions/ecatalogue/2012/art-dafrique-et-docanie-pf1218/lot.32.html4. https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24872/lot/72/5. https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20973/lot/3230/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 NiasDetailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
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