In very good condition for its age, a 19C Borneo Dyak Head Hunter’s Mandau with Knife
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There are hundreds of tourist Mandaus on the market, but this is an authentic Borneo head hunter’s sword with parring / skinning knife. How to tell the difference? 1) Brass / metal / silver disc inserts, 2) Curly blade spine sections cut from blade (not plain spine or added curlies), 3) Parring / skinning knife, 4) Bone hilt and knife top, 5) Quality worked skin scabbard / sheath. Borneo head hunters hunted monkeys, not humans by the way. This mandau is late 19th Century, possibly early 20th Century.
The 21 1/4 inch blade is aged, but good, most inserts remaining and firm in the hilt. The bone hilt with bound grip in good shape, complete with original monkey hair. The parring knife also aged but very good. The animal hide sheath is well worked and bound, some wear / age especially to the point end evident. The sword and knife sheath and draw well.
These are rare. This well above average example is worth much more. was £? (too late, now sold) . Please quote item reference Z21. Further / full sized images available upon request. Box 1540-81x17x16 (1.446).
