Description:

Sword "Piso halasan", "kalasan", "eccat"
Indonesia, Sumatra North, Karo-Batak, 18th/19th century
L. 65 cm
Karo-eccat is of particular importance. The blade is single-edged, slender, and has a strong spine and wedge-shaped cross-section. At its narrowest point, a few centimeters from the throat, there is a small projection that can be interpreted as a suggestion of a male genitalia. The spine is straight, the tip embedded in the spine is elongated, and the cutting edge is curved in an S-shape. The metal shows refined texture and has a dark patinated finish, which is likely to have been done in the Malaysian region (Batak blades are originally polished). The widened blade root terminates in an abruptly stepped, strong neck. Above it rises a double-conical ferrule made of yellow cast iron, decorated with soldered applications of finely woven wire mesh and double S-shaped spirals. The ferrule is likely a Toba work that has been "recycled." The spaces appear to have been filled with a black resinous substance, which can be interpreted as pupuk, a magical substance containing soul matter, used to animate the object. This practice is documented, but would need to be verified in each individual case through chemical analysis. Above the ferrule, or rather the handle base, the most voluminous part of the handle, a group of figures is arranged in typical Batak style, in this case carved from ivory (gading). On a crouching figure holding the characteristic sacrificial chicken as a symbol of a pious lifestyle with adat-appropriate honoring of the ancestors, another, smaller figure crouches with its hands held in a pious pose (in this combination probably ancestor and descendant). The long hair of both figures is indicated by symmetrically arranged spiral motifs typical of Batak culture. The scabbard mouthpiece is also made of ivory. It consistently continues the handle design. The handle and scabbard mouth are dyed a reddish-brown, probably with betel juice. The scabbard mouth fits precisely to the blade shoulder. The back displays the same axially symmetrical motifs as the "hairstyles" of the handle figures. To each side are two squatting male figures depicted in a row, hands around their knees. The squatting position can be interpreted as a suggestion of the birth (and rebirth) posture and is a common Mela and Polynesian concept. The eyes are accentuated by fine inset metal pins. A fifth, central figure on the obverse (blade side) is female and depicted in a standing posture. She has a raised hairstyle, perhaps referring to the no longer common topknot hairstyle. She could be a cultural hero or clan founder of high rank, or the founder of the piso. The scabbard has a curved foot, slightly widened at the base in a flowing line. The body of the scabbard is made of black, extremely hard wood (palm wood) and covered with silver bands of varying widths. The upper quarter is covered with silver. Additional applications with suasa bands elegantly contrast the silver-plated areas, which are further decorated with fine silver braided bands and soldered double spiral rows, with the dark wood. The decorative shapes correspond to those of the handle, emphasizing the symbolism of the piso unit (blade-handle-sheath). As a whole, our piece represents a reference to the importance of ancestral lineage and kinship relationships and may have served as a wedding gift or gift between high-ranking parents of the bride.
From an old German private collection, collected since the 1950s - The EU sales licence for this lot is available - This lot cannot be exported out of the European Union

Schwertmesser "Piso halasan", "kalasan", "eccat"
Indonesien, Sumatra Nord-, Karo-Batak, 18./19. Jh.
L. 65 cm
Karo-eccat von besonderer Bedeutung. Die Klinge ist einschneidig, schlank und hat einen starken Rücken und keilförmigen Querschnitt. An der schmalsten Stelle, einige Zentimeter vor dem Klingenhals, findet sich ein kleiner Vorsprung, der als Andeutung eines männlichen Geschlechtsteils interpretie

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Export to countries outside the EU are subject to the restrictions of the UNESCO convention from 1970 and the European Agreement for the Protection of Cultural Heritage from 1993. Moreover, the cites regulations are applicable. Objects with materials such as ivory or tortoise shell require a permission for export into countries outside the EU contract area due to cites regulations. We point out that such a permission is usually not given. For exports within the EU the Act to Protect German Cultural Property against Removal (Kulturgutschutzgesetz) has been in force since 6th August 2016.


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October 1, 2025 10:00 AM CEST
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300 € 359 € 30 €
360 € 399 € 40 €
400 € 899 € 50 €
900 € 999 € 100 €
1.000 € 1.999 € 100 €
2.000 € 2.999 € 200 €
3.000 € 3.599 € 300 €
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40.000 € 99.999 € 5.000 €
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