Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 260:
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 relatively closely follows the traditional lasara (dragon head) hilt and can be seen in Modigliani (1890) and Fischer (1909). 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. Traditionally, these swords would be used in headhunting and numerous rituals and ceremonies in Nias required severed heads. Chiefs would pay warriors to perform this task on their behalf and during peacetime, these hired warriors would hide at a bend in the path and take as victim the first person to pass by. If warriors were not available the chief slave would be responsible for the task, and the aim of headhunting was to take possession of the dead person’s soul, or life-force, and to offer it as a gift to the spirits. In this way, the chief acquired a form of guarantee for his afterlife (Viaro 2001). 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 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). The bekhu zocha spirit hunts and feeds on mens shadows, just as men feed on pigs (Brenner-Felsach 1998). The hilt of this example sustaining some damage to the face.The scabbard is of two pieces of wood secured with strips of brass, 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 bekhu 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) : 26" Blade Length : 19 3/4" 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.5. Brenner-Felsach, Joachim Freiherr von. Eine Reise nach Nias, die Indonesien expedition 1887, edited by Reinhold Mittersakschm, 171-75. Vienna: 1998.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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