Papuan mandau set










length: 21 1/2"
blade: 16 5/8"
blade width: 1 1/2" maximum
grip: 4 3/8"
weight: 12 oz

Mid to late 1900's mandau set made for export. Grip and scabbard of painted wood with fur, beads, and pigs teeth (probably not long pig, the europeans drove that taste out of the native's mouths in the 1700's). Small companion knife in side pocket. Unsharpened. Tip o' the banana palm helmet to Cyclura for identification help.

More information received 12/29/01 from a friend living on Bali, who corrected my Borneo identification:
"Just wanted to let you know that this particular mandao is actually from Irian Jaya. I know because I've visited twice and personally purchased several before. The painted markings and the wood used aren't Dayak, and the pig's teeth and beads - that's Papuan stuff too. Also the length is always shorter than those from Borneo. They are copied from the Dayak style and made for resale to visitors or tourists mostly, though they keep and still use some. I don't know if Indonesians bring the blades in or if they are made locally. "