An exceptionally beautiful and carefully crafted sword of the Dayak people, once feared head hunters on the Island of Borneo, which today is divided amongst Indonesian Kalimantan, Sarawak and Brunei. Such swords were called ‘Mandau’ the present specimen probably originates from the group of Kenyah Kayan Dayak people in eastern Kalimantan. The locally-forged, single-edged blade is elaborately decorated, pierced and furnished with curved decorative pieces forged with it. The characteristic handle consists of a carved stag antler. It displays in fine relief intersecting heads and bodies of ‘Aso dragons’, the most important mythological beings of the Dayak, as well as many volutes, spirals and spikes. The long wooden sheath is similarly decorated in carved relief on the outside with a magnificent jumble of interlacing ‘Aso dragons’, sacrificial spoons, volutes, spirals and spikes. A masterpiece of craftsmanship. A bundle of long, black hair protrudes from the hilt as an embellishment (human hair?) and a carrying strap made of braided rattan is attached to the sheath. Overall an unusual high-quality object in excellent condition. With good usage patina. There is no significant damage.
Length: 74 cm (sword in sheath).
Between c. 1900 and the first third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Private collection, Vienna.