One of the better examples of a Preanger Highlands area sword which is most likely ordered by a Dutch dignitary in 1825. The blade shows excellent Javanese craftmanship with fine engraved decoration all over. The blade is slightly curved and has a false edge which is engraved aswell. On the forte is the European date of 1825, which is very rare.
The scabbard is typically known for the Preanger area in Java and is made of two sheets of wood covered in rattan. The scabbard mouth and footh are made of buffalo horn. The scabbard is decorated with a red fabric and embroidered gold wire. The Sumatran style horn handle is a stylized dog’s head, specifically called Si Tumang. Si Tumang is the name of a god-dog in West-Javanese Mythology. It represents “loyalty to the death” as he was loyal to his death in the famous fable of the Sangkuriang legend. These kind of hilts were usually worn by someone of military or warrior ancestry as ”loyalty to death” it is their code of honor. The handle is very well carved and has bone inlayed eyes.

Swords like these were used to hunt deer while riding a horse. This was a sport practised by Nobleman and Princes to show off their skills by killing the deer by a single strike in the neck.

Condition: Excellent, just some minor holes in the horn scabbard.

Dimensions:

Handle: 12.5cm
Blade: 39.8cm
Scabbard: 45cm
Total length: 57.6cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright by Peter Andeweg – 2020