This is a large example of a ‘badik’ (dagger) and its highly elaborate silver oversheath. The blade, with a simple and elegant water buffalo horn hilt, shows layers of metal of differing composition creating a watered pattern known as ‘pamor’. The oversheath is decorated with repoussé and chased floral and geometric designs dominated by a pair of intertwined ‘naga’ (mythical serpents). This badik is believed to have come from the island of Sumbawa even though it is fairly typical of high status badik from across the east Nusa Tenggara islands of present-day Indonesia. For much of the 17th century, the trade of Sumbawa was dominated by the Bugis rulers and Bugis influence can still be seen in the material culture of the island.
