INDO668: Dayak Langgai Tinggang Sword

A rare 19th century Langgai Tinggang sword of the Iban Dayak headhunters. This style of sword is almost identical to the Parang Niabor sword except the handle looks more like a Mandau handle rather then a Niabor handle. The term Langgai Tinggang means "longest tail feather of the hornbill" which I am sure refers tot he shape of the blade. The handle is very well carved and has a beautiful patina from age and use. The original rattan handle wrap is in good condition put the pitch at the base of the blade is missing. The scabbard has some of the rattan bands remaining and some wood loss a the top and bottom of the back side. The blade is very large and heavy with a well forged finger guard detail. This large and heavy Dayak war sword is more rare then the Mandau sword style.    

29" overall with a 23" blade that is 3/8" thick at the back edge.. 19th century Borneo, Indonesia.