Gobang Bandung
Gobang Bandung
Sundanese
Preanger Regency, Dutch East Indies (Bandung Region, West Java, Indonesia)
Mid- 19th century
Steel, horn, coral, wood, silver, ivory
Blade: 46,7cm
Hilt & Blade: 60,3cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 67cm
Collection Date: 2024
Collection Number: 439
Ex. Oriental Arms: Haifa, Israel (2024)
A fine sword from the Bandung Region of West Java, traditionally known as the "gobang bandung". The mountainous area was called the Preanger Regency during the Dutch period and is known locally as "Tanah Prijangan" from the local Sundanese culture.
This sword features an elaborately carved mythical hilt. The heavy single- edged steel blade slightly curves upwards. Thick spine with a false edge present for the last 1/4 length of the blade. Both sides of the blade are forged from pamor steel in a laminate pattern. The buffalo horn hilt is beautifully carved, possibly in the form of Batara Kala (The God of Death in traditional Javanese and Balinese mythology), the head inlaid with red coral eyes. The mythical creature closely resembles certain puppets of wayang theater.
The sheath is of two pieces of fine timber held together by six silver bands. The mouth piece is carved from horn while the chape tip is horn and elephant ivory. The top band and belt hanging fixtures are covered in a fine silver sheet repoussé floral scrollwork. An exceptional sword of finely carved intricate features in excellent condition, having a well forged pamored blade, and complete with its original sheath.
[1] https://antiquesbythesea.com/product/makara-gobang-bandung-sword/
[2] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=3010