Nias Island sword Balato

Attractive and scarce sword from Nias, North Sumatra called a ‘Balato’. The wood carved from softwood and coloured black typical for older examples. The hilt carved with a monstrous grotesque beast with large open mouth and fangs, seated on his head a small figure. The lower ferrule made of brass. Good steel blade with widening end and typical shape to the tip. Early 20th c. Some losses and cracks