Situated in the easternmost Lesser Sunda Islands, the Alor archipelago is neighboured by the islands of Lembata to the west, and Timor to the south. This sword is of a style found on a number of islands in the region, including Timor, Roti and Savu. While the physical characteristics of such weapons are distinctive, little is known about the meaning of the imagery depicted. Carved from buffalo horn and wood, the finely decorated hilt and scabbard of the Alor sword appear to depict the head and tail of a composite creature incorporating birdlike and serpentine features. In addition to conveying notions of virility and strength, the combination of upper and lower world creatures most likely provided supernatural protection against the dangers of hunting and warfare. The strong profile of the hilt is embellished with delicate scrollwork and would have once been encompassed with a full mane of hair tufts, most likely from a sacrificial creature.