Javanese tiger hilt sword
This item has been sold.
Overall length

72.5 cm

Blade length

59.6 cm

Blade thickness

Base 6 mm

Middle 2.5 mm

5 xm from tip 1 mm

Blade width

Base 33 mm

Middle 26 mm

5 xm from tip 22 mm

Weight

369 grams

Point of balance

9.5 cm from hilt

Materials

Iron, steel, wood, brass

Origin

Probably Java, Indonesia

Blade, Dutch

Dating

Late 18th to early 19th century

Provenance

From a Dutch private collection

Sold

Interested?
Anything similar for sale?

Contact me

Description

A highly unusual sword. The blade is an old Dutch V.O.C. "houwer" blade, a short curved saber. It has partially faded marks that those in the know will instantly recognize as marks of the VOC, Amsterdam chapter. The remains of the date seem to incorporate two sevens. It is most likely 1774.

The hilt is highly unusual and has so far eluded classification. It is made of a light brown hardwood, with a smooth, slightly sunken grip section. The pommel consists of a feline creature, sitting on a plateau with a ball between its front paws. The stripes are typical for Asian representations of the tiger. It has a small brass S-shaped guard and brass ferrule with two grooves.

The sword comes with a perfectly fitting all-metal scabbard that is old, but certainly is a lot younger than the rest of the sword. Tip of scabbard is broken.

 

Tiger hilt sword with scabbard

 

Attribution

The smallish guard resembles guards on some Filipino and Javanese arms. The slightly L-shaped profile of the hilt reminds of swords of the Baduy people, an indigenous Bantenese community that shuns foreign influence and has to this day kept to their ancient traditional ways. The identify themselves as Orang Kanekes or "the people of Kanekes".

 

Badoei swords

A rare depiction of a Badoei sword, sheathed at 4. and unsheathed at 4.a.
From Internationales Archiv für Ethnographie, Internationales Gesellschaft für Ethnographie; Rijksmuseum van Oudheden te Leiden.
Heft IV. 1891. Plate XIII

 

Baduy sword private collection

A rare Baduy sword with carved hilt. Private collection.
Photo by Maurice Bloebaum.

 

If it is a Baduy sword, it is one of very few such swords in existence and possibly one of the more elaborate ones.
However, the jury is still out. If you have any information regarding this unusual sword, please get in touch.

 

 

 

Javanese tiger hilt sword
Javanese tiger hilt sword
Javanese tiger hilt sword
Javanese tiger hilt sword
Javanese tiger hilt sword
Javanese tiger hilt sword
Javanese tiger hilt sword
Javanese tiger hilt sword
Javanese tiger hilt sword
Javanese tiger hilt sword
Javanese tiger hilt sword
Javanese tiger hilt sword
Javanese tiger hilt sword
Javanese tiger hilt sword
Javanese tiger hilt sword
Javanese tiger hilt sword
Javanese tiger hilt sword

Do you have anything for sale?

I might be interested in buying it.

Contact me
Currently available:

19th century, probably originating from Cirebon.

€400,-

The Hindu mythical brother of Hanuman, the Monkey King.

€800,-

With floral overlay, kinatah, typical for the period.

€5500,-

Upgraded with filigree to resemble a snuff bottle.

€1600,-

Sawasa is metalware in black and gold made primarily for the Dutch expat community in Asia.

€3800,-

Complete with key, inside divider and four silver containers.

€4750,-