sword (weapons: edged); sword sheath (sheath (weapons: accessories)); weapons: accessories

Dyak sword, mandau, the curved swollen single edge blade is inlaid with numerous brass pellets, chiselled with scrolling ornament, pierced with star-shapes, and with a distinctively shaped back edge towards the tip. The hilt is carved from deer antler in a mass of writhing scrolls which incorporates a stylised human figure. The pommel is decorated with tufts of red, black and white goat’s hair attached by resin, and the grip is finely bound with rattan. The wooden scabbard is faced with yellow bead-work representing the Aso dragon against a black bead-work ground. Fringes and tassels are made from yellow, pink and black beads. The Mandau also retains a cylindrical wooden stick representing a pisau raut (but without the blade).

fighting

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
nn12483
Date
19th century
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 940 mm x 90 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
iron; antler; wood; hair; bead; rattan; resin; brass
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
LOCATION
In storage
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Collection Information

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