Late 19th C. Borneo Kayan Wood & Steel Malat w/ Pisau

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Borneo, Sarawak state, Kayan people, ca. late 19th to first half of the 20th century CE. A nice example of a traditional malat (mandau for the Dayak) with a sheath formed from wooden planks bound tightly with rattan fibers. The forged-steel blade has a sharpened edge on the interior, a curved spine with an openwork curl, a bifurcated wooden handle with a braided rattan grip, and tufts of goat fur dyed in beige, brown, and red hues. A secondary leather-and-wood sheath has a braided rattan strap, holds a wooden pisau raut (whittling knife) with a steel blade, and is adorned with strands of colorful trade beads. Size (w/ sheath): 3.875" W x 25.6" H (9.8 cm x 65 cm); (blade): 18.75" L (47.6 cm); (pisau): 17.3" L (43.9 cm)

Provenance: private Nevada, USA collection

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#152214
Condition Report: Minor separation and losses to bottoms of both sheaths. A few stable fissures to handle, wooden sheath components, and pisau knife handle, with some missing trade beads on pisau sheath, abrasions to blades and handle, and light encrustations. Nice patina throughout.