A superb royal Sumatran gold hilted pedang
Indonesia, Sumatra, Sultanate of Palembang, late 18th/early 19th century
L. 79 cm (overall) / L. 18.5 cm (hilt)
Provenance:
- Private collection, the Netherlands
- Collection Jan Veenendaal, Oudenbosch
This highly refined sword with a pamor sanak blade has a floral makara (celestial sea elephant) shaped grip, which points towards Sumatra and probably the Sultanate of Palembang. Because of the opulent use of gold, one can safely assume that it once was worn by someone at Kuto Besak, the kraton palace.
On June 25, 1821, the Dutch colonial forces overthrew the Palembang Sultanate. By July 1, 1821, the Dutch had officially seized control of the Kuto Besak palace. Anticipating the takeover, the Sultan ordered destroying the palace’s treasures. Consequently, when the Dutch soldiers entered the palace, they found only books, a few coins and pieces of gold, and 74 cannons. Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II and his family were exiled to Ternate in the Maluku Islands on July 13, 1821. Mahmud Badaruddin remained in exile until his death on September 26, 1852.
L. 79 cm (overall) / L. 18.5 cm (hilt)
Provenance:
- Private collection, the Netherlands
- Collection Jan Veenendaal, Oudenbosch
This highly refined sword with a pamor sanak blade has a floral makara (celestial sea elephant) shaped grip, which points towards Sumatra and probably the Sultanate of Palembang. Because of the opulent use of gold, one can safely assume that it once was worn by someone at Kuto Besak, the kraton palace.
On June 25, 1821, the Dutch colonial forces overthrew the Palembang Sultanate. By July 1, 1821, the Dutch had officially seized control of the Kuto Besak palace. Anticipating the takeover, the Sultan ordered destroying the palace’s treasures. Consequently, when the Dutch soldiers entered the palace, they found only books, a few coins and pieces of gold, and 74 cannons. Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II and his family were exiled to Ternate in the Maluku Islands on July 13, 1821. Mahmud Badaruddin remained in exile until his death on September 26, 1852.
