Balinese hilt
 

Delem, one of the four Panakawan of the Balinese Wayang Parwa

Nice hilt....so is Delem a variation of the name Twalen? :shrug:

David, in Bali wayang Twalen equates to Semar in Javanese wayang. Twalen and Merdah were the punakawan of the Pandawas, and Delem and Sangut were the punakawans of the Kurawas. I think Delem is probably Bagong, but I don't really know, because I really know very little about the intricacies of wayang, especially Balinese wayang.

Thanks Alan. The reason i asked this is because this hilt has features, like the wide spaces two teeth, that i would normal associate with Twalen. :shrug:

Bagong is Semar's son, so I guess Delem is Twalen's son. Family resemblance?

Then you would agree that this is a depiction of Delem...i know sometimes you are hesitant to pin names on these Balinese figural hilts...

I guess it could be, to me father and son look alike. Undoubtedly there is iconography attached to both that permits distinction to be made, but I'm no wayang expert. If Marco reckons its Delem, he was probably told that by the seller, and the seller if he was in Bali, undoubtedly knows more than all of us put together.

I can go with that... :)

So, does anyone think this hilt might have been painted once ?

Look like it have had once gold paint on. :shrug: Marco will be able to tell us more.

BTW, nice hilt Marco! :)

Mr. Stanley Hendrawidjaja told me that this penakawan is Delem. I have only understand that he was a Penakawan ( for the hair) :)

Sorry... No paint before... Is the pattern of the wood

Good find, Marco.
A nice addition to your collection