Peudeung Hulu Meu Apet
Peudeung Hulu Meu Apet
Acehnese
Aceh Sultanate (Aceh, North Sumatra, Indonesia)
Last half of the 19th century
Steel, iron, cotton
Blade: 81.3cm
Hilt & Blade: 98.1cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2021
Collection Number: 235
Ex. Auctions Imperial: Chatsworth, California, USA (2021)
A rare Indonesian sword from Northern Sumatra, known as a Puedeung Hulu Meu Apet, used by Acehnese noblemen. The term is usually applied to curved sabers of European blades or influence. The basket hilt term is hulu meu apat, inspired by early Hindu and South Indian form and characteristics of the type. Other elaborate examples can be more elegantly decorated with gold and diamonds and were for those closely connected to the Sultan of Aceh.
The steel blade is locally produced with faint traces of a pattern welding, modeled after European blades, likely influenced by Dutch sabers. It presents a wide central fuller extending 3/4 of the blade's length before transitioning into a medial ridge for the remainder 1/4 length to the point. A second fuller follows the thick spine before becoming a false backedge.
The massive basket hilt reflects Hindu origin, wrought of steel with a heavy hand guard, and three langlets. All finely engraved in floral scrollwork on polished steel. Circular dished pommel with an incised eight-pointed cap, terminating in a long single prong. Retaining its original black and red with white floral accent cloth padded lining.
A rare and earlier sword of nobility, frombslightly before or around the Aceh War period of the late 19th century. This example is more uncommon, as it still retains its original padded lining within the basket hilt. Certainly a charming sword in both aesthetic and symbolic appeal as they were only worn by nobility, officers, and individuals of a high status in Aceh.
Photograph 23: Aceh warriors from the Aceh War period. Photograph by Henricus Marinus Neeb, ca. 1900.
Photograph 24: An Acehnese collection during the Dutch colonial period, ca. 1893 - 1895.
[1] https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a-rare-sumatran-peudeung-helu-meu-apet-sword-61c4c32bf8 (This Sword)
[2] Van Zonneveld, Albert G. “Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago”. Page 101
[3] https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/30977
[4] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=4234
[5] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=2262
[6] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=3434
[7] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=2715
[8] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=3241
[9] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=2168
[10] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=1161
[11] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=1299
[12] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=6724
[13] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=2786
[14] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=7294
[15] https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/acehnese-peudeueng
[16] https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/peudeueng-peusangan
[17] https://www.erikscollectables.com/tag/peudeung/
[18] https://photographyindonesia.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/the-dutch-wars-in-aceh/
[21] https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/rare-indonesian-sumatra-peudeung-sword-with-mugha-7bf4037b65