Keris Hilt Material

[Alam Shah]

Hi all,

I would like to know what type of hilt material is this?
From the form, where does it originated?
Other information is also welcomed. [ link ]

[David]

Hi Shahrial. Nice hilt. Sure looks like sea ivory to me. Dugong maybe. Is there some reason that you think it is something other than that?

[A. G. Maisey]

I've got a number of keris with Bugis style hilts that look like they have the same material as this one. I've always thought it was elephant ivory. I just went and had a look at them under magnification , and there is a distinct grain, and some superficial cracking as we could expect with elephant ivory. I'm not taking a position and saying this definitely is elephant ivory, but it sure looks like it to me, and I have some difficulty in imagining what other source could provide material of sufficient size and shape to allow this style of hilt to be produced.

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by David

Hi Shahrial. Nice hilt. Sure looks like sea ivory to me. Dugong maybe. Is there some reason that you think it is something other than that?

Thanks David. I guess it may be sea ivory(?). But from what animal, I'm not sure. Where is this form of hilt originated from?

[asomotif]

Dear Alam Shah,

it is certainly not elefant ivory.
Elefant ivory has very distinct lines that at one point ore another are crossing each other forming little squares.

On the back of your hilt there is a dark line/crack with small dark dots along it.
I have been told that this line is specific for hippo ivory.
I have seen rencongs with hilts showing this line.

Best regards,
Willem

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes, it is true that elephant ivory will often show a cross-hatch grain, but it cannot be taken for granted that because ivory does not show a cross-hatch, it is not elephant ivory.

I have several hundred pieces of ivory, about 100 or so are ivory keris handles, the rest are netsukes, small ivory figurines, and other little bits and pieces. Some that is definitely elephant ivory does not show a cross-hatch grain.

The four bent over handles that I have posted pics of do have a grain, but it is not cross-hatch. I've always thought of these handles as elephant ivory, but I'd be the first to admit they might not be. However, if they are not, what other source, readily available to craftsmen in SE Asia, could provide material of sufficient size to allow handles like this to be produced? Whales teeth wouldn't do it. Walrus? Dugong? Boar? What? These are pretty serious lumps of ivory.

The upright handle is definitely elephant ivory, I've put this up for comparison.

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

The upright handle is definitely elephant ivory, I've put this up for comparison.

Hi Alan,
A beautiful display of ivory hilts. I agree with the upright being elephant ivory.
Others are... hmmm...
I'm pretty much interested in all 4 bent hilts, including their hilt cups... especially the 2nd piece. But unfortunately, I could only dream of it... and drool.