Introduction

The rencong is an Acehnese type of thrusting dagger that was often worn together with the sikin panjiang. They have a narrow, pointy blade and a bulbous hilt, often with a long protrusion at right angles from the hilt.

For more information, see my glossary article: Rencong

This example

A typical example of a good quality rencong. It features a blade that Fischer, writing in 1912, describes as type C:

Type A: With a smooth blade

Type B: With a faint sunken section

Type C: With a clearly defined fuller 

The blade is forge-folded with an attractive burl wood grain pattern that was etched to form somewhat of a relief.

The hilt is made of caribou horn and follows the typical form of the rencong with bulbous main grip and slender stick protruding at a sharp angle from the pommel side.

The scabbard is of a light, almost orange colored wood that is nicely carved and engraved.

Provenance

From the collection of a Dutch police officer who served in Indonesia around the mid-20th century. Thence by descent.

Notes
1. H.W. Fischer; Catalogus van 's Rijks Ethnographisch Museum. Deel VI. Atjėh, Gajō- en Alaslanden. Sumatra I. E.J. Brill, Leiden. 1912. Page 141.