18th-19th century. Finely carved hilt of thick form with stylized bird head, perhaps Garuda, and bands of hounds tooth and tendril motifs. The scabbard throat matching with bird head terminal, bands of stylized foliage and central crown motif each side. Plain matching wood lower sheath. Brass mendak. The 14 1/4" straight blade with fine pamir pattern of central whorls terraced to linear layers defining the edge. Gray patina with slight degradation, strictly minor. Wood showing good grain and patina throughout. Probably from Aceh the major princely sultanate in the north which held out against colonization-the crown representing its independent rule.
