Sword with Chased Silver Mounts & Rattan-bound Scabbard, West Java, Indonesia, 18th-19th century

Parang Sword with Chased Silver Mounts & Rattan-bound Scabbard

This elegant parang sword has a steel blade with a distinctive pamor pattern, which is single edged and curves slightly to a point. The scabbard is decorated with finely wound rattan binding, with a flared chape and locket in silver sheet engraved with typically Islamic Southeast Asian vegetal and floral scrolling.

The impressive hilt is similarly covered in silver sheet and chased with vegetal borders.

A related example with a similar rattan scabbard is illustrated in Hales (2103, p. 122).

This example has a wonderful patina. There are minor losses and shrinkages but overall, it has a superb honeyed hue.

Hales, R., Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour: A Lifetime’s Passion, Robert Hale CI Ltd, 2013.

van Zonneveld, A.,

Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago, C. Zwartenkot Art Books, 2001.

European art market