Very Good Tumbok Lada Knife - Sumatra

The Tumbok Lada is a short heavy knife from Eastern Sumatra and from the western coast of Western Malay Peninsula. It is characterized by the short thick blade, very slightly down curving with a thick spine. Similar blades are found on Sewar daggers from the same region. Very typical is the short thick handle. It is made from various materials, typically wood. horn and elephant tusks. The scabbard is mostly wood with silver cover and a down extending scabbard locket.

The exemplar offered here is of typical form but of good quality and very good condition.  Thick polished steel blade with steel bolster. Short massive I handle set with Suassa collar. Suassa (alloy of copper, gold and silver). In the Indonesian and Malayan cultures the Suassa is considered as a protection from bad luck and evil, hence it is used in higher quality swords and daggers mounts.  Wood scabbard with silver cover and carved down extending scabbard mouth.

Blade n9 1/2 inches (24 cm). Total length 14 inches (36 cm). Very good condition. Very minor chip on the handle material. Late 19 C. good exemplar.

See also:

 Achin Sibeth "The Batak" P 164, Fig 213

Albert G. Van Zonneveld: "Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago" P 149