Sword Handle

This handle for a sword (Mandau) from northern Borneo is carved from deer antler. The shaft has several carved bands and the handle has a projecting spur with a short pommel adorned with intertwining curvilinear motifs. The figure of an aso — a protective dragon-like creature — is carved on the handle, its body carved in relief so that its almost fully modeled head and neck arch over a hole to pass completely through the piece, its short open jaws resting on the spur. The right side of the aso is fully carved while the head and shoulders of the proper left side have been left unfinished. A large hole flanked by two smaller holes appears on the pommel and another hole also flanked by two smaller holes appears at the end of the spur. These holes were originally intended for the insertion of decorative tufts of animal hair.