Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 174:
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 earlier balato has a form that relatively closely follows the traditional lasara (dragon head) hilt and which can be seen illustrated in Modigliani (1890) and Fischer (1909) but which takes a simpler and earlier form without the fully carved lasara head or the bekhu figure. These earlier forms are considered to be earlier interpretations of the classic form by Modigliani (1890) and are illustrated in line drawings describing the earlier hilt styles.A similarly designed hilt to the Schmiedt Collection example can be found in the Museem fur Volkerkuunde, Netherlands, collected circa 1940, carved of wood similar to this example. 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 Schmiedt Collection example has a well carved and nicely patinated handle with the earlier more stylized lasara style hilt. These styles have been attributed to the North Nias, while the South Nias carved the more complex lasara hilts. This distinctive form of stylized lasara hilt is called a niotaka waena from the South Nias term for â€Å“a hilt as a swallow.†In this hilt the lips of the lasara mouth are stylized, flatly cut, and recede completely (Van Zonneveld 2001). The scabbard is of two pieces of wood secured with strips of rattan, while the talismanic basket, raga ifÃĦboaya, at the top of the scabbard is of classic shape and decorated with animal teeth in a curved form and appearing to be secured by natural fibers, which is an important indication of an earlier dating. The blade now with pitting from age. Balato are difficult to date accurately, but considering the simpler style of carving of the hilt, fine patina of the wood and the charm ball, and the use of nature fibers on the charm ball, this example likely predates the 1930s and may be a 19th century example.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 28 1/2" Blade Length : 20 1/2"Comparable 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 Nias.
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