Description

A very nice Balinese spearhead, called tumbak in the local language.¹ 

The steel blade has an octagonal base with fluted facets before widening out to a flattened diamond cross-sectioned blade with a leaf-shaped profile. Forged with a twist-core pamor where rods made of layers of iron and iron with a high nickel content are twisted and ground to their cores before being welded together. The blade was then given a typical Balinese finish with a smooth surface where the white pamor contrasts sharply with the blackened iron.

It still retains the upper portion of its hardwood shaft, covered with silver. It features two bands with fine ornamentation in repousse.

The original scabbard is made out of one piece of wood. It is carved on both sides with a demon face, Kala (a.k.a. Kīrtimukha) in high relief. It is finished with polychrome lacquer in cinnabar red, black, and gold.

Condition

Spearhead in excellent condition. Some minor losses to the ornamental silverwork. Scabbard with some longitudinal age-related cracks, but still structurally sound.
 

 

Notes
1. C. Clyde Barber; Dictionary of Balinese - English. Aberdeen University Library by 1979.