Bidspirit auction | Dayak Mandau Headhunters Sword w/Scabbard

Dayak Mandau Headhunters Sword w/Scabbard - Indonesia, Dayak Peoples mandau headhunters sword with scabbard. Bone carved handle with plumes of hair protruding openings. Brass twisted wire wrapped handle. Double-edge blade with a thick spine and double edged tip or fore section. Wood scabbard wrapped in rattan bands of dark and light brown covered in raw hide patches, colorful beads, twine, and multi-colored hair trimmings. Known for their long standing tradition of taking heads and souvenirs like scalps or body parts the Headhunters have now been outlawed and Dayak peoples mostly used the sword as a working weapon such as a machete. Size 28 3/4” L, blade 20 1/4” L California Arms Collection Condition: twisted wire grip loose, some loss and looseness to rattan, period repaired elements. Light oxidization and patina to blade and components