GOOD 19TH - EARLY 20TH C. INDONESIAN MANDAU PARANG IHLANG SWORD ~ SARAWAK, BORNE

Description

Description
A distinctive Bornean sword of the Iban Dayak, called a Mandau or Parang Ihlang,these swords are found throughout institutional and private collections in varying degrees ofquality. They are distinguished by a set of similar features, all varying in the level of quality ofthe constructions, materials, and workmanship. The Mandau blade has a convex shape on oneside and somewhat concave on the other. The blades are often made of tempered metal and insome cases may display a lamellar pattern, similar to the pamor found on Indonesian kris blades,though this is highly uncommon. The hilts are often delicately carved with various detailsvarying across the many tribes of the Dayak, but often depict creatures or anthropomorphic deities.This example in the Schmiedt Collection has nicely carved hilt with the leech pattern carved onthe hilt called (lemetek) and which is associated with blood sucking and considered anappropriate motif for a weapon. Swords with leech motifs are considered to come from the IbanDayak of Sarawak, though the Kayan tribe also used this motif. The blade is well made withstyle with the blade tip most closely related to the style called leng-ook-monong based onresearch from 1888 from the Dutch resident in Koetei, where the Kayan tribe made mandaus ofthis form and style (Tromp 1888).The many loops and projections along the spine of the blade, according to Shelford (1901),transcribing the Kajamans of the Belaga district is referred as song batong, referring to thefretwork along the spine of the blade.Dating to the early 20th century.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 25 3/4" Blade Length : 20 1/2" References:1. Van Zonneveld, A.G. (2002). Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago.Koninklyk Instituut Voor Taal Land2. Heppell, M., et al, (2005) Iban Art: Sexual Selection and Severed Heads, C.Zwartenkot/Kit Publishers3. Sellato, B. (ed.), Plaited Arts from the Borneo Rainforest, NIAS Press, 20124. Fischer, H.W. (1909) Katalog des ethnographischen Reichsmuseums- Die Inselnringsum Sumatra, (vol. 4, Leiden)5. Tromp, S.W. (1888) Medeelingen Omtrent Mandaus. Internationales Archiv fürEthnographie. Band 1. Pp.22-266. Shelford, R. (1901) A provisional classification of the swords of the Sarawak tribes.Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. Vol. 31
No scabbard. Some tarnishing to the blade, crack in the handle. Good overall condition
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