Piso Chenangkas
Piso Chenangkas
Riau Malay - Batak
Bruneian Sultanate (Sarawak, Malaysia) - Aceh Sultanate (North Sumatra, Indonesia) - Siak Sultanate (Riau, Sumatra)
Late 18th - Early 19th century
Steel
Blade: 68,6cm
Hilt & Blade: 81,3cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: - (cm)
Collection Date: 2021
Collection Number: 251
Ex. Rick Stroud (RSWORD): Raleigh, North Carolina, USA (2021)
Ex. Califonria, USA Private Collection
An early sword from the Malay Peninsula, a piso podang or piso chenangkas, that historically could be found in the neighboring areas of Sumatra and Borneo during the ruling Sultanates. Their design originates from 16th - 17th century Indian Hindu talwars and patissa from early Indian Sea trade, which influenced the hilt and pommel cup forms in the Malay Archipelago. While many different variations of this sword exist, this example is likely used by the Malay, Batak or neighboring people of North - Central Sumatra.
The straight double- edged steel blade has a rich deep black patina throughout with faint hints of laminations. Two shallow central fullers extend the middle portion of the blade, a local manufacturered copy influenced by European blades. The blade is slightly thin but quite flexible with an extended ring and corresponding vibration after tapping. The hilt is also a rich dark patinated steel having a swollen central grip, tri-lobed quillons, and a squared langlet. Reverse cup shape pommel with an internal steel prong (now missing the human hair).
A rare old sword that is not often encountered. While this example is straight bladed, most are curved and with a brass hilt. This one having a considerable age. It is likely from the late 18th to the early 19th century. More elegant examples are silver hillted signifying positions of power and authority.
Photograph 15: Batak Warriors, 1870.
[1] http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=23954&highlight=chenangkas (This Sword)
[2] https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/31194
[3] https://www.penn.museum/collections/object/307411
[4] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_As1948-01-35-a
[5] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_As1926-0413-6-a
[6] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_As-7781-a
[7] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=960
[8] http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5096&highlight=long+piso