Just a little something amusing

S.Workman · 25th July 2017, 04:56 PM

In my normal life, I am an importer and roaster of premium coffees. I regularly buy this truly wonderful Balinese coffee, with fruity notes of melon and citrus and a remarkably high caffeine content. It's shipped to me in these bags, and unless I'm mistaken the print is of a keris holder. At least that's what it seems to be.

Marcokeris · 25th July 2017, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S.Workman

In my normal life, I am an importer and roaster of premium coffees. I regularly buy this truly wonderful Balinese coffee, with fruity notes of melon and citrus and a remarkably high caffeine content. It's shipped to me in these bags, and unless I'm mistaken the print is of a keris holder. At least that's what it seems to be.

No a keris holder .... Maybe a guardian temple

S.Workman · 25th July 2017, 07:23 PM

Well, he's still pretty neat...

Bjorn · 25th July 2017, 08:44 PM

You are right, it is pretty neat

Marco is correct in identifying the figure as a guardian temple. These are known as dwarapala (protector of the gate/door) or darmapala (protector of the darma). They are commonly found outside of Buddhist and Hindu temples in Asia. Of course the exact iconography can differ from place to place.

On the photos you can see dwarapala in Java, Bali and Thailand.

Of course, one could hypothesize that keris holders also have a protective function. I recall reading somewhere that - at least in Bali - they were placed near the door so that guests could deposit their keris there.

S.Workman · 25th July 2017, 11:49 PM

Thanks, that's very interesting! What are they holding? It looks like a torch of some kind.
It's so nice to get these bags. There used to be so much great art on the green coffee bags, and I have collected some good ones over the years. More and more though, the industry is just going for plain bags with origin marks. Ultimately, they will be reinforced plastic bags with UPC codes on them.

Bjorn · 26th July 2017, 08:29 PM

As far as I know, they're holding clubs.
I admit that the one on the coffee bag looks rather elaborate and might be using a degree of artistic licence in that the top of the club looks like a budding flower.

25th July 2017, 04:56 PM	#1
S.Workman Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 116	Just a little something amusing In my normal life, I am an importer and roaster of premium coffees. I regularly buy this truly wonderful Balinese coffee, with fruity notes of melon and citrus and a remarkably high caffeine content. It's shipped to me in these bags, and unless I'm mistaken the print is of a keris holder. At least that's what it seems to be. Attached Images

25th July 2017, 08:44 PM	#4
Bjorn Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 188	You are right, it is pretty neat Marco is correct in identifying the figure as a guardian temple. These are known as dwarapala (protector of the gate/door) or darmapala (protector of the darma). They are commonly found outside of Buddhist and Hindu temples in Asia. Of course the exact iconography can differ from place to place. On the photos you can see dwarapala in Java, Bali and Thailand. Of course, one could hypothesize that keris holders also have a protective function. I recall reading somewhere that - at least in Bali - they were placed near the door so that guests could deposit their keris there. Attached Images

25th July 2017, 07:23 PM	#3
S.Workman Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 116	Well, he's still pretty neat...

25th July 2017, 11:49 PM	#5
S.Workman Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 116	Thanks, that's very interesting! What are they holding? It looks like a torch of some kind. It's so nice to get these bags. There used to be so much great art on the green coffee bags, and I have collected some good ones over the years. More and more though, the industry is just going for plain bags with origin marks. Ultimately, they will be reinforced plastic bags with UPC codes on them.

26th July 2017, 08:29 PM	#6
Bjorn Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 188	As far as I know, they're holding clubs. I admit that the one on the coffee bag looks rather elaborate and might be using a degree of artistic licence in that the top of the club looks like a budding flower.