Sword (<i>Rudus</i>) and Scabbard

Muhammad Salih of Terumon

dated 1835 · Steel, horn, gold, wood · Arms and Armor

The sword is exceptional for the gold decoration inlaid on its blade, which includes a date and an inscription identifying the artist as "Muhammad Salih of the state of Terumon… in the village of Payung." While the place names appear to refer to Peninsular Malaysia, the form of the hilt, blade, and scabbard are distinctive to a region of northern Sumatra inhabited by the Aceh and Pakpak peoples. These elements suggest that the sword was made in Sumatra and then decorated in neighboring Malaysia.

Artist

Muhammad Salih of Terumon

Date

dated 1835

Medium

Steel, horn, gold, wood

Culture

Malaysian, Kampung Payang and Sumatran, Aceh

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Purchase, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Gift, 2014