– 67 –
as intimidating and fierce weapons.
Occasionally oversized halberds were
cast as highly impressive symbols of
power.
In the Indonesian Bronze Age, these
large halberds, here called „candra-
sa“, must have had a special status,
as several large halberds were found
at Eastern Javanese sites. Mostly of
simple design, their length can mea-
sure between 50 cm and 80 cm, and a
fragmentary halberd has been recor-
ded that must have measured 110 cm.
The „candrasa“ described here is of
an imposing size, a truly monumental
example. We do not know of another
halberd with this shape and size. It
is most likely that this „candrasa“
was not used in battle but served as
a powerful attribute of a clan chief
or ruler.
A much smaller „candrasa“ of similar
shape and design is in the collection
of the National Museum of Indonesia
(unpublished), and another smaller
example of different shape in the
collection of the National Gallery of
Australia, Canberra.
L: 77,5 cm; B: ca. 39 cm
Provenance
Dutch Private Collection (since 1960s)
Singapore Private Collection (since
1980s)
€ 15.000 - 30.000
Photo: Studio R.Asselberghs-Frédéric Dehaen Brussels