Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 130:
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. The blades are often made of tempered metal and insome cases 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 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 lid-jib based on research from 1888 from theDutch resident in Koetei, where the Kayan tribe made mandaus of this form and style (Tromp1888). The original scabbard is well made, bound with rattan and with charms and toggles, andincludes 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 also referred as song ikang, referring to thehooks and frets along slope of the blade. The blade of this sword appears to show a simplelamellar pattern as well which is uncommon on Dayak swords of this type.Dating to the 1st half of the 20th century.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 27" 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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