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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Paris (France)
Posts: 408
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Hello,
Here is the grip of my new Kriss. The sheath is very much worn (it is broken and half of the wrangka is missing) but it looks like Cirebon's style. I think the handle comes from the north of Java but I'm not sure because I've never seen a similar one. What do you think? |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,740
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Yes, it looks a rare and old specimen of raksasa hilt from Northern Java, congratulations!
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Paris (France)
Posts: 408
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Ok thank-you.
It's very good news, I'm very happy because I bought it at a very moderate price from blurred photo. It was a winning bet. ![]() Here is an overview of the kriss. The blade presents 2 different pamors : - the one in "triangle" which is very visible at the base, - and another almost invisible on the blade and which seems to be of the type Uler Lulut ?? or Segara Wedi ?? |
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#4 | |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,740
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The blade is original and old, and typical of the Northern/ West Java area with its 9 very shallow waves but the pamor pattern looks too indistinct on the pic (too much light reflection) for being able to confirm your identification. Regards Last edited by Jean; 27th November 2017 at 09:02 AM. |
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6,857
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In Javanese/Balinese art motifs, a figure with fangs is identifiable as demon.
Raksasa is a male ogre, raksasi is a female ogre, an ogre is actually a monster that eats human flesh. Thus when we call these types of hilts "raksasa" we're being pretty general, its pretty loose terminology.Maybe a bit more "Collectorese". If we look at origins and turn to Hindu beliefs, what we find is that rakshasas & rakshasis are shape shifters, and not all of them are necessarily bad guys. If we were going to get really pedantic we probably should only use the term "raksasa" for demons that haunt cemeteries and eat human flesh. Anyway, Athanase's hilt has got fangs, thus it is a demon. Raksasa is probably OK. If we don't call him a raksasa, what do we call him? Squatting ancestor with fangs Jean? Interesting idea. Ancestors eventually become one with their deities, and often are depicted in pit burial mode. But with fangs? So why are these demons used as hilt figures? Are they all demons? Maybe they're guardians? Or maybe they really are demons and their purpose is keep the really bad guys away from the sacred Meru.Lots of room there for discussion. I think we've visited this previously. |
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Italy
Posts: 928
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another Cirebon
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#7 | |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,740
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I attach the pic of an old raksasa hilt (holding a human arm in his left hand). Regards |
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#8 | |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,100
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And then there is the head dress. I just don't think i have ever seen a raksasa (or what we collectors generally consider raksasa) with such an elaborate head dress or crown. It's usually just long hair. ![]() |
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#9 | |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,100
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#10 | |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,100
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Definitely a lovely, old and unusual hilt. I would agree that it looks Northern Jawa. And i just love the face on this guy! |
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#11 | |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,740
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I used the generic term raksasa to mean a forest demon covered with vegetation, this hilt is similar to the buta bajang style (squatting ancestor with bulged eyes) but with a different face, hairdress, and decoration which makes it peculiar. It is also different from the raksasa style hilts with crossed arms (see pic). Regards |
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#12 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Italy
Posts: 928
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another Cirebon hilt
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#13 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,252
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Hello Marco,
Very nice hilt, especially the piece from #7! This one appears to be considerably older than the other examples in this thread - maybe you could add close-ups from the other sides here or in a separate thread, please? Quote:
And, yes, I'm still hoping on Christmas for finally reading your book... ![]() Regards, Kai |
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