Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 256:
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. This atypical balato has a form that follows certain documented interpretations of the traditional lasara (dragon head) hilt and which can be seen illustrated in Modigliani (1890) and Fischer (1909). This particularly long blade balato would be a considered a traditional headhunters sword while the shorter examples are considered a knife for domestic usage. The blade likely not laminated and with a downswept and inward sharpened edge. The hilt of this example with a carved handle in the form called a niobawa bae representing the head of a monkey with a bekhu zocha on its back. The locked teeth of the spirit may it appear aggressive and this form of hilt associated with a monkey allegedly provides the warrior with speed in combat (Van Zonneveld 2001). Other forms of hilts have lasara hilts that are considered representations of a lasara, which has been identified alternately as a lawalo bird (Horner 1849); nibawa lawalo, an animal whose function is to increase the strength of the sabres owner (Schrider 1917); boars head (Modigliani 1890); a Chinese dragon; and others as a makara, a sea dragon from Hindu-Javanese mythology and found throughout S.E. Asia However, the hilts were supposed to have a protective function for the owner of the sabre. Alongside the protection offered by the lasara and the niobawa bae moneky figure these hilts feature the bechu zocha, a spirit who hunts and feeds on men’s shadows, just as men feed on pigs. By sitting astride the pommel and biting the boar’s head, he takes on the role of a man. This image can be regarded as a talisman working against the misfortunes that the bechu zocha spirit would ordinarily bring (Brenner-Felsach 1998). The scabbard is of two pieces of wood secured with strips of rattan. This example instead of the talismanic basket has talismans and amulets hanging along the upper portion of the scabbard including shells and animal teeth, which all appear to be secured using natural thread, an indication of an earlier dating. The blade now with pitting from age. Balato are difficult to date accurately, but considering the style of carving of the hilt, the distinct form of amulet charm attachment, and the use of natural fibers, this example likely dates to the late 19th century to early 20th century.Provenance – Schmiedt Collection.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : Blade Length : 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 Nias.5. Brenner-Felsach, Joachim Freiherr von. Eine Reise nach Nias, die Indonesienexpedition 1887, edited by Reinhold Mittersakschmller, 171-75. Vienna: 19986. Schroder, E. E.W. S. Nias: Ethnographische, geographische en historische Aanteekeningen en Studin. 2 vols. Leiden: Brill, 1917.7. Horner, Johann Jakob. Batoe-Eilanden, ten Westen van Sumatra gelegen. In Tijdschrift voor Neerlanas Indie. Batavia, 1840.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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