Bidspirit auction | Rare Indonesian Nias BALATO Sword

Rare Indonesian Nias BALATO Sword (Telugu, Balatu) - A rare sword of the Nias islands near Sumatra, this sword is called a balato and isof the classic Balato form but with the distinctive carved hilt in the form of a dragonhead called alasara. The Balato is the classic and well recognized Nias warriors sword and comes in a varietyof shapes.This relatively typical Balato has a form that relatively closely follows the lasara (dragon head)hilt and which can be seen illustrated in Modigliani (1890) and Fischer (1909). The blades aregenerally not laminated and can have various forms, the common factors are: a single edge thatstarts only a few centimeters from the hilt and more or less widening to the point.The lasara carved hilts have been identified as multiple types of creatures. Some have likened itto the fantastic law bird (Horner 1849); , an animal whosefunction is to increase the strength of the sabre owner (Schrader 1917); Modigliani sees a boars head (1890); others interpret it as a Chinese dragon; and others the makara, a mythical seadragon from Hindu-Javanese mythology and found throughout S.E. Asia. Regardless of thecreature designation, the hilts were supposed to have a protective function for the ownerof the sabre. Total length (inside scabbard if present): 27 3/4”, Blade length: 19 3/8”. Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at info@sofedesignauctions.com. ***All lots are sold as-is and where is. No statement regarding age, condition, kind, value, or quality of a lot, whether made orally at the auction or at any other time, or in writing in this catalog or elsewhere, shall be construed to be an express or implied warranty, representation, or assumption of liability. All sales are final, and SOFE AUCTIONS does not give refunds.SOFE AUCTIONS ARE PLEASED TO OFFER IN-HOUSE PACKAGING AND SHIPPING SERVICES. PACKAGING SERVICE ONLY: start at $25 and up depending on item/s. Available IN-HOUSE shipping is within the USA of small, medium, semi-large, NON-FRAGILE items. SOFE WON'T ship items in glass frames. After paying for your item/s please call us at 469-268-1177, or email us at info@sofedesignauctions.com to request a quote. All item/s will be shipped via UPS or FedEx, FULLY insured, unless insurance declined in writing by the buyer. SOFE AUCTIONS does not use USPS. We do have a list of suggested third-party shippers. Please visit our webpage for a list of recommended shippers.