"Sewar Type Knife - Sumatra Island, Indonesia - XIXth Century"
Sewar Type KnifeSumatra Island, Indonesia
19th century
Steel, horn, silver, marine ivory and wood
Total length: 26 cm; L.: 5.5 cm
Knife length: 22.5 cm
Single-edged steel dagger with a finely carved horn spindle with openwork plant motifs, scabbard, made of a wooden blade with chased silver fittings with leafy scrolls.
The Sewar knives have the particularity of being used during the Sewa dances of the matrilineal society of the Minangkabaus. These ritualistic fights were performed by two or three dancers, all but one of whom wore a sewar.
Text and photos © FCP CORIDON
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