Piso Gading Sword of the Toba Batak, Sumatra

One of the rarest form of swords from Sumatra is this sword of the Toba Batak people, also known as “Piso Gading”. A slightly up-swept blade is Antler checkered  handle of good age patina.  Wood scabbard covered with many bands of braided rattan strips.

The sword is marked with a catalog number (of a museum collection)  152

For similar swords see also: Albert G. Van Zonneveld “Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago” Fig 421 P. 107, and Achim Sibeth. “The Batak- Peoples of the Island of Sumatra” Fig 212 P. 163

Blade 17 inches. Total length 24 inches. Very good condition. Authentic and original 19C.  sword.