A sword of the Dayak, formerly head hunters on the island of Borneo, called a ‘mandau’. With a long, characteristically shaped, single-edged iron blade. Forged on one side in three elongated surfaces, with a punched smith’s trademark.
The hilt is made from the antler of a sambar stag and is carved In the form of an ‘aso-dragon’ (dragon dog), a mythical creature of the Dayak, with its jaws wide open. There are six Aso heads on both sides of the hilt, with volutes and spirals composed into imaginative reliefs. A very fine, masterful piece of workmanship.
The large, round recesses on the top were originally for attaching tufts of dyed animal hair. The hilt for the Dayak warrior’s hand is wrapped with patterned brass wire.
The sheath consists of two flat halves, likewise carved at the top and bottom of the front side, held together by two decorative knots of partly dyed rattan-strips. Situated on the rear of the sheath is another, shorter smooth sheath for the accessory knife. Includes a carrying-strap made of braided rattan-strips.
The accessory knife, used for carving, cutting and other everyday activities, is smaller. It has a short, single-edged blade, decorated with forged spikes and arches. The longish, round wooden shaft has a short wrapping of patterned brass wire, for better wielding of the accessory knife; the end is decorated with an attachment of carved antler (partly broken).
A beautiful, old piece with only minor damage.
End of the 19th century, early 20th century; L: 62 cm (in total); 32.5 cm (accessory knife). (ME)