Cirebon hilt
 

Old Cirebon hilt for parang

That's beautiful!

What ..is a Cirebon? :shrug:

I've never heard of it..

I'm very sorry.

This is not an old cirebon hilt for a parang. It is a hilt for a golok. Tourist stuff that was offered on pasar malams here in Holland since 30 years ago. You still see these things often here. Not cirebon but javanese export. :shrug:

Cirebon is a town in Java with an old history. In arts it is famous for batik with clouds motive. Is also famous for typical wayang Java puppets and, for keris lovers, for its hilts.

Hi Henk,

I don't would be sure about this since I have seen old parang as well golok with this style of hilts. the hilt seems to have a good patina! :shrug:

Regards,

Detlef

Hi Detlef,

For this one i'm 500% sure. I do own two of these goloks. One i bought in my younger years when i couldn't afford something else. A brand new golok made for those who travel for pleasure. The other one was a gift. Even the carving near the base of the hilt is the same. But the blades of these goloks aren't bad at all. The golok that was given to me has also patina and signs of use. It was used by the previous owner as a chopper in his garden. ;)

If you have seen an old blade with such a hilt i'm very sure the hilt was a replacement.
These hilts are tourist golok hilts.

I take this hilt becouse i liked (i like) the patina and the colours that (...of course IMO) made a nice union and remember me the colur of Cirebon puppet/mask.
If you are sure this is new i agree, but, please, is it possible to see a pic of your hilt?
Thanks, Marco

Here a picture from an old Cirebon sword with figural (wayang?) handle. not direct the same style but definitely old/antique.

I don't know much about cirebon style.
But I do agree that you see this style of hilt here in NL on keris and golok that where brought back by tourists.

But this type of patina looks to be made by intensive use. Not what you expect on an tourist item.

Maybe it is just like our wooden shoes.
Most of them are bought by tourist. But Even in Rotterdam, now and than I bump into people actually wearing them :)

Best regards,
Willem

Hi Marco,

Sorry for the delay. Work and other important activities took my time.

On your request the pictures of my goloks. The colored one has the same carvings in the lower part of the hilt as yours. Colors diver and this one is a wallhanger. It is actually as new as 30 years ago when i bought it. The other one was a gift was not painted and used as a garden tool.

Thanks Henk for nice pics.
You are right . They are almost similar. There are only some little difference.

You're welcome Marco. There are some differences in the hilts, But as you can see, my two hilts differ also. Two different wayang heads. Nice detail is that those goloks that are offered here (you still can buy them) have all different wayang heads. You see them displayed on tables. Two of the white faces like mine, three like yours, three like the other one i showed you. Just like the wayang puppets.

I have another one for you. Try to identify what character your hilt is :)
I have a book that describes the characters of the wayang scene. You can recognize them by their hairdress. Also that part of the indonesian culture is very interesting and a study on it self.

OLD OR NEW??? EITHER WAY I LIKE YOUR HILT THE BEST OF THOSE PICTURED. :) I HAVE SEEN THIS STYLE CARVING ON TOURIST SWORDS FROM BALI CURRENTLY BUT YOURS IS CARVED AND PAINTED MUCH BETTER THAN CURRENT WORK I HAVE SEEN. YOURS DOES APPEAR TO HAVE SOME WEAR AND AGE TO THE PAINT AND LOOKS LIKE SOME OF THE OLDER 1920 TO 1940'S PUPPETS I HAVE SEEN. JUST OBSERVATIONS WHO KNOWS HOW LONG THIS FORM OF HILT HAS BEEN IN PRODUCTION. :shrug:

This book? ;)

Yep!! :D