Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 129:
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 ofquality. They are distinguished by a set of similar features, all varying in the level of quality ofthe constructions, materials, and workmanship. The Mandau blade has a convex shape on oneside and somewhat concave on the other side. The blades are often made of tempered metal andin some cases may display a lamellar pattern, similar to the pamor found on Indonesian krisblades, though this is highly uncommon. The hilts are often delicately carved with variouscarving details 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 or stags horn.This example in the Schmiedt Collection has nicely carved hilt. The blade is a simple style withthe blade tip most closely related to the style called leng-ook-monong based on research from1888 from the Dutch resident in Koetei, where the Kayan tribe made mandaus of this form andstyle (Tromp 1888). The original scabbard is well made, bound with rattan and covered inanimal fur, 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 referred to as song bila, referring to thesmooth slope of the blade. The blade of this sword also decorated the entire length with severaltraditional Dayak designs including inlaid brass dots called tap-set-sien and mata kalaong of fourmirrored S-shapes also representing a flying fox bat. The decoration is not proportional or wellinlaid indicating a later dating for the sword.Dating to the late 19th to early 20th century.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 26 1/2" Blade Length : 19 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. 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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