Balinese Barong Handle

alexish · 20th July 2017, 03:10 PM

Pardon my ignorance. I just bought a handle that I think represent the Balinese Barong. I know that the fight between Barong and Rangda is a common theme in Balinese culture. Would like to seek forum members opinion on this handle.

David · 21st July 2017, 03:41 AM

Nice modern carving, but not a traditional design for a Balinese keris hilt AFAIK. You are correct that the battle between Rangda and Barong is and ancient depiction of the battle of good vs. evil and that the keris does indeed play a part in that battle as depicted in the Barong Dance that has become a staple of presentations mostly done for tourists these days.

Gustav · 21st July 2017, 10:58 AM

Sinhalese lion on top, Madurese motif in the middle, Balinese selut, carwed in wood below.

So quite eclectic piece.

A. G. Maisey · 21st July 2017, 02:17 PM

Yep.

Gustav

I agree completely that this handle does not use Balinese motifs, but I think it probably was carved in Bali.

The Balinese carvers are perhaps the best in the world, and in the current era they borrow forms and motifs from other cultures and societies. This is very good carving, it uses kayu arang (or ireng) which is commonly used in Balinese carvings. I think it is a very nice piece of current era Balinese art that has borrowed the motifs from elsewhere.

You're pretty good in identifying cultural origin of motifs, and you give the lion as Sinhalese. I am not disputing this, but my own feeling was more towards Siamese. Can you give a reference that ties this lion form to Ceylon?

Gustav · 22nd July 2017, 12:07 AM

Alan, I also think that the carving of the lions head is of very good quality, with many small, crisp details, yet the parts below are not so accurate in execution. The difference is rather noticeable. And like you, I also suppose, it comes from Bali.

A. G. Maisey · 22nd July 2017, 12:21 AM

Re the lion head, yes, similarities, and I have seen these kastane hilts.

I don't have time at the moment, but I'll see if I can find some Siamese pics that influenced my feelings.

Re the variation of the motifs in execution, what I think I can see is perhaps a photo problem. This thing might look a bit different in the hand.

20th July 2017, 03:10 PM	#1
alexish Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 127	Balinese Barong Handle Pardon my ignorance. I just bought a handle that I think represent the Balinese Barong. I know that the fight between Barong and Rangda is a common theme in Balinese culture. Would like to seek forum members opinion on this handle. Attached Images

21st July 2017, 02:17 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,893	Yep. Gustav I agree completely that this handle does not use Balinese motifs, but I think it probably was carved in Bali. The Balinese carvers are perhaps the best in the world, and in the current era they borrow forms and motifs from other cultures and societies. This is very good carving, it uses kayu arang (or ireng) which is commonly used in Balinese carvings. I think it is a very nice piece of current era Balinese art that has borrowed the motifs from elsewhere. You're pretty good in identifying cultural origin of motifs, and you give the lion as Sinhalese. I am not disputing this, but my own feeling was more towards Siamese. Can you give a reference that ties this lion form to Ceylon? Last edited by A. G. Maisey; 21st July 2017 at 11:42 PM. Reason: after thoughts

22nd July 2017, 12:07 AM	#5
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,249	Alan, I also think that the carving of the lions head is of very good quality, with many small, crisp details, yet the parts below are not so accurate in execution. The difference is rather noticeable. And like you, I also suppose, it comes from Bali. Attached Images Last edited by Gustav; 22nd July 2017 at 12:19 AM.

21st July 2017, 03:41 AM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,125	Nice modern carving, but not a traditional design for a Balinese keris hilt AFAIK. You are correct that the battle between Rangda and Barong is and ancient depiction of the battle of good vs. evil and that the keris does indeed play a part in that battle as depicted in the Barong Dance that has become a staple of presentations mostly done for tourists these days.

21st July 2017, 10:58 AM	#3
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,249	Sinhalese lion on top, Madurese motif in the middle, Balinese selut, carwed in wood below. So quite eclectic piece.

22nd July 2017, 12:21 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,893	Re the lion head, yes, similarities, and I have seen these kastane hilts. I don't have time at the moment, but I'll see if I can find some Siamese pics that influenced my feelings. Re the variation of the motifs in execution, what I think I can see is perhaps a photo problem. This thing might look a bit different in the hand.