This sabre was made in Malaysia.
For several hundred years, an enormous variety of large and small hilted weapons have been made and used in the Malay peninsula. The blades are made from iron, which blacksmiths acquired through trade as it was not mined locally, and the grip and scabbard of silver. The klewang is one of the most frequently found forms.

This sabre was obtained in Sumatra at the close of the Achinese war (1873-1904).

Klewang sabre and scabbard, iron/wood/silver, Malay Archipelago, 1880-1900.

Klewang: sabre with watered slightly curved, single edged blade made of iron. The hilt is of heavy black wood covered with a grip of chiselled silver which is decorated in two panels of scrolls and foliage motifs. Each panel is bordered with zig zag and narrow rope-like lines. The pommel is an extension of the wooden hilt and is intricately carved echoing the scroll and foliate designs in the grip.

Scabbard: shaped scabbard made of dark polished wood covered with chiselled silver. One side has a foliate scroll design running the length of the scabbard with geometric borders. The other side has a diaper design of diamond shapes with same borders. There is a thrust of exposed black wood at the top.

Maker: unknown; Malaysia

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