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This is the sort of charmingly rustic artefact you don’t see every day. It’s a Vietnamese rice harvesting knife dating back to the late 19th century. It is beautifully and ingeniously constructed from a single piece of wood. The blade is inserted into grooves in the wooden haft, but also held for additional  reinforcement by bands of old wire. This hails from a time when items were handcrafted with care, even in out-of-the-way agrarian communities. The wood is nicely finished and the design is simple, aesthetic and surprisingly clever.

The pictures say it all  – it’s a lovely display piece that evokes a simpler, if exotic, world and time. The custom-made stand is included.

About 44cm high and 21cm wide from the tip of the branching out piece to the main shaft.

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An ancient Lasara figure from Nias – perhaps 200 plus years old.

This exquisite piece of weathered teak was likely a part of a door or window panel taken from Nias – an island off the coast of Sumatra known for both its distinctive culture and its headhunting. I believe it to be a Lasara – a mythological creature unique to Nias. On the side, hitching a ride, is a small monkey/human-like figure known as a Beku, which is frequently found on Lasara sculptures.

The two profiles of this piece are noticeably different in terms of weathering, with one side much more weathered than the other, reinforcing the impression that this was a panel, with one side facing the weather. It was well known that such panels, usually adorning the homes of high status individuals on the island, were removed by artefact hunters early on in that island’s integration into a wider world. Looking at the beautiful golden patina on this and the exquisite natural weathering to the wood, it would not surprise me if this carving was well over 200 years old. Frankly, it could be twice that old.

Nias artefacts are very desirable as they are quite scarce and the island is renowned for its distinctive cultural style. The lasara and beku feature on the hilts of Balato too  – the sword that was carried by indigenous headhunters. Available here at a reasonable price, but please – feel free to make your offer.

Item is about 33cm, and 42cm when displayed on stand. Weighs a substantial 1kg, but then it is teak.

$395