Toba Batak Ceremonial Sword (1900)
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.
The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.
It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture. - Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
A Ceremonial Sword, Toba Batak, North Sumatra, Indonesia, (circa 1900), carved wood, steel, bronze and pigment, 60 cm long. Provenance: Dr Djamaluddin, Medan. Acquired from above by Dr Peter Elliott, in the early 1970s
Superb Fijian war club Sali, heavy yet superbly balanced, made from a single piece of vesi (ironwood). Cylindrical shaft leads into a blade incised with geometric carving to both sides. Raised spur to top. The spur on the outer edge designed to parry attac
Fine Fijian Club. Gata Classic form, well balanced and finely carved detailing to handle. Early deep rich patina. Length 99 cm. Width 14 cm. Provenance: T. Clemence Collection, New Zealand
A boomerang-club (lil-lil), New South Wales (nineteenth century), carved hardwood, 63 cm high. Provenance: Private Collection, Melbourne