AGE: – Over 100 years Collected by us in Sarawak 43 years ago from the source, not a tourist object
CONSTRUCTION: – Iron, bone, twine, bark or wood
DESCRIPTION: – Rare Iban Dayak Headhunters Mandau Sword

LENGTH: – 86cm
BLADE LENGTH: – 62cm
GRIP: – 14.5cm
WEIGHT:– 950gms
SOLD
#168

A genuine and Rare Iban Dayak Headhunters Mandau Sword from Borneo. This type of weapon was considered to be the main hunting and warfare weapon of the men of Borneo and played a significant part in their beliefs regarding the spirit world.

The sheath of this Mandau headhunters sword has been damaged with amateurish efforts made to replace the missing carved bone pieces with plastic which does not detract from the beautiful workmanship which decorates the blade. The sheath has three original pieces of carved bone still attached, one at the top and bottom, and one original carved bone panel. The grip with woven fibre circles the lower section of the ornately carved antler bone. The backside of the sheath is a natural fibre with a loop attached for carrying.

Several brass rivets are embedded along the length of the blade, a small piece of the tip of the blade is missing. The ornate carving on the blade of this sword would indicate that it more than likely belonged to a high ranking tribal chief.

Rare Iban Dayak Headhunters Mandau Sword