Large Ceremonial Halberd "candrasa", late 1st millennium BC to early 1st millennium AD · Indonesia, purportedly Eastern Java · ID: 3052703
Singapore Private Collection (since 1980s)
Description
bronze, base
Halberds are known in virtually all Asian Bronze Age cultures. Mostly of smaller, handier size and mounted on wooden or bamboo poles, they served as intimidating and fierce weapons. Occasionally oversized halberds were cast as highly impressive symbols of power.
In the Indonesian Bronze Age, these large halberds, here called “candrasa”, must have had a special status, as several large halberds were found at Eastern Javanese sites. Mostly of simple design, their length can measure between 50 cm and 80 cm, and a fragmentary halberd has been recorded that must have measured 110 cm.
The “candrasa” described here is of an imposing size, a truly monumental example. We do not know of another halberd with this shape and size. It is most likely that this “candrasa” was not used in battle but served as a powerful attribute of a clan chief or ruler.
A much smaller “candrasa” of similar shape and design is in the collection of the National Museum of Indonesia (unpublished), and another smaller example of different shape in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.
Notices
This object is subject to the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Protection Act. Export documents are required for export (subjected to a fee).