Superb Batak Knife (Piso) with Ancestor Figures and Silver Mounts

This superb knife has an iron blade and a scabbard and hilt carved from horn, with silver mounts. Probably it is of the Karo Batak, though sometimes such knives are also accorded to the Toba Batak. There is the occasional suggestion too that they are priest’s knives. Sibeth & Carpenter (2007, p. 264) suggest that such ‘remarkable’ knives possibly were all created by just one artist. What is clear however, is that this one is an especially fine example.

The hilt is of two ancestor figures, one sitting with bunched-up knees, and the other standing behind resting his arms on the heard of the other. The standing figure wears what seems a high headdress but actually is a lizard cascading down the back of his head. Both figures have deep eye sockets and these are inlaid with lead to signify eyes.

The top of the hilt is carved with a large, mythical beast with a prominent humanoid face. Eight small human figures are carved right around the base of the creature.

The tapering scabbard has seven bands of plain silver and it terminates with a silver, bud-like terminal.

The widest silver band at the top of the scabbard and that on the hilt bother have fine silver bands decorated with fine twisted wire and granulation work.

The blade is single-edged and tapers to a point. The upper section is cut with motifs.

Related examples are illustrated in Sibeth (1991, p. 165 & p. 166) and Sibeth & Carpenter (2007, p. 264).

The example here is in excellent condition. There is old rust staining to the blade but more importantly, there are no losses to the carving.

 

Above: a knife hilt carver on the Karo Plateau, circa 1915.