Tridacna identification
 

Hi All,

Appreciate if anyone can give more info on how to identify a Tridacna hilt. I've posted some pics. Are the lines shown the growth lines? Any examples and close up pics of hilts made from the giant clam shell would be much appreciated.

B/rgds,
Jon

Afaik, this is one. :D

That looks a kemoh (Tridacna) hilt for sure. The black scattered dots are actually mineral deposits. Taking the point that this is calcium and mineral from the sea bed would easily deposited in it, unlike bones or ivory there is less contact with other mineral source. Is that a Tajong hilt??? ;)

Hi Jon
another example

Thank you guys for your kind info and pic.
You're spot on Newsteel!

I was told that the black spots or lines that appear on the hilt is when it is obtained near the outer/crust of the shell. The deeper (inner) shell would have a cleaner white appearance.

Probably, the sample from Marcokeris is one obtained from the centre of the shell :shrug:

jonng,
I could see the lotus petal carving on your hilt. I guess this could be a tajong.

Newsteel,
You are right. There are more black spots on one side ( probably the outer crust) than the other which has only a handful. I still think the lines are growth lines as they can be seen throughout the whole piece, now that I have cleaned off some of the dirt on the tajong hilt. It's a big piece so as much of the material as possible must have been utilized.
Thanks again for checking.

TRIDACNA Keris Hilt?
 

Dear All,

Would you please inform me, is this the kind of "tridacna hilt"? How can you identify whether this is "tridacna" or not? What is the specialty of this kind of hilt? (Who wears this kind of hilt?) I found this hilt in Jakarta this Monday afternoon...

Thanks in advance...

GANJAWULUNG

I googled this :

Tridacna Gigas Shell belongs to one of Buddhism's seven gems (gold, silver, coloured glaze, shell, agate, amber and coral). This precious underwater gemstone possesses graciousness and an intricate spiral design. Having gone through millions of years of cultivation, the strength of magnetism is in abundance. At the same time, it has also gathered nature's forces and worked to improve body's flow of magnetism.
Living within the presence of the gem's forces will strengthen the immune system and alter luck for the better. Tridacna Gigas Shell is a gem of choice.

I would assume that this material is very hard and difficult to carve .

Thank you, Rick,

This 'shell hilt' is also heavier than ordinary stone or agate. And you are right, it is harder to carve. I put other fotos, which I took on daylight...

GANJAWULUNG

That looks like a kemoh (Tridacna) to me. Lovely mendak (pendokok).. btw. :)