Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 184:
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 with creatures oranthropomorphic deities. The scabbard are made of timber with carved panels bound with rattanand often feature various charms of esoteric and ritual importance to the owners which couldinclude tufts of hair, bits of textile, carvings in various materials, and would often include a pisoraut side knife used for whittling rattan.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is a very fine example with a beautifully patinatedcarved hilt with the leech pattern in the hilt called (lemetek) and which is associated with bloodsucking and was considered an appropriate motif for a weapon. The blade is a fine heavyexample of good proportions and made for use. The blade tip is most closely related to the stylecalled lidjib based on research from 1888 from the Dutch resident in Koetei, where the Kayantribe made mandaus of this form and style (Tromp 1888). The fret work along the slope of theblade, according to Shelford (1901) transcribing the Kajamans of the Belaga district, is referredto as song bang.The hilt of this example has a very fine age patina. This type of hilt of more complex form andcarving but nonetheless an early working life example of the late 19th to early 20th C.The scabbard of this sword also in very fine condition and carved with the leech motif and retaining the original red textile.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 29" Blade Length : 21 3/4"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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