Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 259:
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 relatively typical Balato has a form that follows the traditional lasara (dragon head) hilt illustrated in Modigliani (1890) and Fischer (1909). While the classic balato is considered to be a traditional headhunters sword the more common domestic knife of the Nias takes a similar form. These swords have continued to be made into the 20th century and shifted from their traditional use as headhunter swords to being used in dancing ceremonies in the mid-20th century and then as tourist swords later into the 20th century. This sword likely of the later half of the 20th century. The lasara carved hilts are found in varying degrees of quality with earlier examples being distinguished primarily by patina of usage on the wooden handles, and sometimes earlier and more distinctive handle shapes, some of which can be found in the Schmiedt Collection. This hilt of classic with a carved handle in the lasara form and with the small creature sitting astride the back of the lasara called the bechu zocha. This hilt form is called niobawa lawolo and is the most frequent type of hilt found and comes in a variety of form from more realistic to abstract forms (Van Zonneveld 2001). The scabbard is of two pieces of wood secured with strips of rattan, while the talismanic basket, raga ifoboaya, at the top of the scabbard is of classic shape and decorated seemingly entirely with carved teeth that appear to be teeth made of wood, a telltale 20th century element, in a curved form. The blade now with pitting from age. Considering the relatively inelegant style of the carving of the hilt, the oversized proportions of the bechu figure, and the use of wood for the charm basket, this example likely dates to around middle of the 20th century.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 27 1/4" Blade Length : 17 1/2"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 Indonesien expedition 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. â€Å“Batoe-Eilanden, ten Westen van Sumatra gelegen. In Tijdschrift voor Neerlands 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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