Introducing...

BluErf · 27th August 2009, 04:33 PM

...a piece of contemporary Balinese work - Bhairava.

Captures the essense, I think.

David · 27th August 2009, 04:39 PM

beautiful....

BluErf · 27th August 2009, 05:01 PM

I showed this hilt to one of my colleagues, who worships Shiva, and she could recognize that the hilt represented Bhairava. She told me that Monday was Shiva's day (I don't know anything about this), and it so happened that the day I showed it to her was a Monday, so she was understandably happy about the coincidence.

She shared that the right foot turned backwards was a sign of demonic power. Since Bhairava is a wrathful aspect of Shiva, and kills demons, the posture was not inappropriate. Notice the demon face under that backward facing foot. The skulls of the demons he killed were strung together and worn round his neck and limbs. One of the skulls belonged to Brahma. He has a third eye which is usually closed, until the moment when he will destroy the world.

Notice that instead of Garuda behind his headdress, it is Kala. I believe Kala's creation was also related to Shiva. At the centre of the back of his belt, the motif looked like the one-eyed guardian - Bintulu.

The other thing I found out was from a website. It said that Bhairava ripped off one of the heads of Brahma with his left thumbnail. Looking at the long vicious looking thumbnails of this Bhairava, it seems possible.

I don't know the name of the mudra he is displaying.

Marcokeris · 27th August 2009, 07:39 PM

Bali or Madura hit

But very very nice work

Marcokeris · 27th August 2009, 07:39 PM

Bali or Madura hit

But very very nice work

drdavid · 27th August 2009, 11:30 PM

Very nice work on this hilt. Is it bone or ivory?
Drd

David · 28th August 2009, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drdavid

Very nice work on this hilt. Is it bone or ivory?
Drd

I think i can safely say it is ivory Dr. D. I can see the grain patterns in the photos. I would say that they did a very nice job adding age color to this piece. Do you know what they used Kai Wee?
Marco, why do you think this is a Madura hilt?

BluErf · 28th August 2009, 02:07 AM

It's ivory. I don't think this hilt qualifies as Madurese...

27th August 2009, 04:33 PM	#1
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Introducing... ...a piece of contemporary Balinese work - Bhairava. Captures the essense, I think. Attached Images

27th August 2009, 04:39 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,124	beautiful....

27th August 2009, 05:01 PM	#3
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	I showed this hilt to one of my colleagues, who worships Shiva, and she could recognize that the hilt represented Bhairava. She told me that Monday was Shiva's day (I don't know anything about this), and it so happened that the day I showed it to her was a Monday, so she was understandably happy about the coincidence. She shared that the right foot turned backwards was a sign of demonic power. Since Bhairava is a wrathful aspect of Shiva, and kills demons, the posture was not inappropriate. Notice the demon face under that backward facing foot. The skulls of the demons he killed were strung together and worn round his neck and limbs. One of the skulls belonged to Brahma. He has a third eye which is usually closed, until the moment when he will destroy the world. Notice that instead of Garuda behind his headdress, it is Kala. I believe Kala's creation was also related to Shiva. At the centre of the back of his belt, the motif looked like the one-eyed guardian - Bintulu. The other thing I found out was from a website. It said that Bhairava ripped off one of the heads of Brahma with his left thumbnail. Looking at the long vicious looking thumbnails of this Bhairava, it seems possible. I don't know the name of the mudra he is displaying.

27th August 2009, 07:39 PM	#4
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	Bali or Madura hit But very very nice work

27th August 2009, 11:30 PM	#6
drdavid Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 371	Very nice work on this hilt. Is it bone or ivory? Drd

28th August 2009, 02:07 AM	#8
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	It's ivory. I don't think this hilt qualifies as Madurese...