Malay Parang sword with silver alloy hilt and Persian blade

A most attractive Malay sword parang, with finely sculpted silver alloy hilt. The blade of Persian origin chiselled with arabic script to one side and two circular cartouches on the other, made from wootz damascus steel although the patina and wear to the blade obscures the visible surface patterning. The original wooden scabbard very finely shaped with an upper locket/mouthpiece and chape each made from one piece of solid black horn. Early 19th century.

southern asia