INDO807: Iban Ceremonial Sword

A rare and unusual Iban Dayak ceremonial sword. The deer antler handle is carved with leech and sprout tendril motifs. The long wood scabbard is carved with an intricate scene including a large serpent and person holding a basket (with a head?). The surface originally had a red natural pigment coloration, but it is largely covered over with a dark crusty black patina. The top of the scabbard is adorned with a variety of old coins from 1790 up until 1945. The odd shaped blade has a smaller blade attached, and dark surface as I have seen on other swords of this type. I have seen a handful of these swords, a couple published and have found very little information on who used them and how.    

27 inches overall , sword 26.5 inches with 21 inch blade. 19th or early 20th century, Borneo, Indonesia.