Code IN89
This is a rare Piso (Pisau) from northern Sumatra, a small utility knife of the Karo Batak people circa late 19th or early 20th C. The old scabbard has typical Karo carved motifs and finely braided rattan rings. Old utility knives like this were not commonly preserved and extant examples are pretty rare, especially with well-carved & genuine fittings.
The blade thickness is 6.2 mm at base with strong distal taper. The blade has a distinctly hardened edge and is made from traded file steel. The overall length is 141 mm.
The hilt is carved from waterbuffalo horn, and shows the usual cracking for the age of this item. There are several small, non-working cracks along the upper side.
The old scabbard from is made of the typical two pieces of wood, in this case brown palm wood, secured with finely braided rattan rings. Typical Karo motifs are finely carved at the mouth.
Provenance: Acquired from collector who acquired it from an old Dutch collection in 2011.
