Lot 60A
Southeast Asia, Indonesia, probably Sumatra, Dutch Colonial Period, ca. 19th century CE. A pamor blade, sharp on one side, with a chased silver handle and sheath. This type of sword is known as a klewang (sometimes kleewang), although this example does not have the wide blade end that some klewang do, perhaps representing a weapon tailored to Dutch colonial officers. Pamor blades are made by forging together various different metals, usually steel and nickel alloys. Unlike the famous blend of Damascus steel, pamor blades are made during the forging and welding stage, when the empu - the forger - creates the pattern of the blade by twisting, bending, and turning it while it is heated. A wash of arsenic and lime juice brings out the final pattern, seen in this example as dark swirls with silvery sparkle. Size: 27.6" L x 2.6" W (70.1 cm x 6.6 cm)
The chased handle is curved and elaborately decorated with raised abstract floral motifs. It flows down into the guard, which is similarly decorated with relief leaves. The sheath is chased at top and bottom, with a wide, smooth band of silver in its center. The chased designs on the sheath are even more abstract, but still fit with the foliage motifs of the handle - they clearly match.
Provenance:
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#123530
- Condition: Blade is in excellent condition and still sharp. Slight bending to sheath.
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| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
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| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |