Indonesia, Borneo, Central Kalimantan, Dayak peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A Dayak "Mandau" sword with a carved deer bone handle and a black horse hair plume rising from the pommel. The handle is carved elaborately with swirling and interlocking abstract creatures, each with numerous flourishes and swirls, forming a remarkable example. The grip is bound with woven rattan thread. The steel blade has a sharpened edge down one side, ending in a curved point with a tiny scrolled flourish. A wooden and rattan sheath protects the sword, with the wood carved with abstract relief figures. A tightly wound red cloth band hangs down from the sheath alongside two woven rattan strings. The mandau is the traditional weapon of the Dayak, associated with the headhunting ceremony. Size: 3.5" W x 24.5" H (8.9 cm x 62.2 cm) Size: 26" L x 4" W (66 cm x 10.2 cm)

Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection

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#128486

Nice patina from age and handling, especially on the bone handle. The sheath has some minor losses to design and a small area of inactive insect damage up near the top.