Makara

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Moshah

Hi,

Thought this is what a makara was; an amalgamation of elephant, naga and other creatures.

Or at least what it was in Patani / Malay peninsular interpretation...

Salaams Moshah,
I have to say that your picture of the Malay weapon is very interesting. I have often wondered if the Makara hilt of Sri Lanka was more influenced from the East or that it spread there from Sri Lanka .. I recall an enormous conflab on the Kastane Hilt in Makara form and whether it was a lion or the Makara. I would certainly like to use your picture as a reference on that thread please?
Regarding this thread I am about to show that #1 is, in fact, an antelope style, thus, neither the Naga nor the Makara, however, it is an intriguing conversation just the same...

...and lest we forget The Makara was occasionally displayed with the head and legs of an antelope and the body and tail of a fish.. see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14998 post 17 for a full description of The Makara.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Moshah]

As-salaam Ibrahim,

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

I would certainly like to use your picture as a reference on that thread please?

The picture was an encrypt from the book "Spirit of Wood" - a Malay woodcarving book. I do not see any problem of using the pix for your study, but I would like to concur here that the beautiful hilt wasn't mine. Enclosed are few more pictures that also wasn't mine, but perhaps would bring more words of wisdom around...the last one, was mounted on Philipines / Moro - based weapon IMHO.

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Regarding this thread I am about to show that #1 is, in fact, an antelope style, thus, neither the Naga nor the Makara, however, it is an intriguing conversation just the same...

I agree, it doesn't look like a makara to me. I always thought, as my recollection from discussion with senior keris collectors of Kelantan, Makara was a folklore creatures that takes major body of an elephant, with naga appearances. For what it's worth, I think it is an interesting hilt form usually found on Malay badiks - a small, single-edged and very-easily-concealed weapon that is easier to be carried around than the keris.

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

...and lest we forget The Makara was occasionally displayed with the head and legs of an antelope and the body and tail of a fish.. see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14998 post 17 for a full description of The Makara.

Thank you for the link, it was a delightful read indeed!
The Angkor-based Khmer Empire relation was interesting, since Pattani Kingdom was subjugated by the Siamese on the 17th century, so does the Khmer somewhere down the line, IMHO. Need to revisit old text that I have a copy to be exactly sure though...

Regards,
Moshah

[Tim Simmons]

This sort of thing is not an area I know much about so what I have to contribute is a little off the wall. The item could very easily be seen as a boars head hunting or hunters knife, some what rural in style but still having some table knife elegance. I think the pattern blade would not be particularly unusual depending on time and place?

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Moshah

As-salaam Ibrahim,


The picture was an encrypt from the book "Spirit of Wood" - a Malay woodcarving book. I do not see any problem of using the pix for your study, but I would like to concur here that the beautiful hilt wasn't mine. Enclosed are few more pictures that also wasn't mine, but perhaps would bring more words of wisdom around...the last one, was mounted on Philipines / Moro - based weapon IMHO.



I agree, it doesn't look like a makara to me. I always thought, as my recollection from discussion with senior keris collectors of Kelantan, Makara was a folklore creatures that takes major body of an elephant, with naga appearances. For what it's worth, I think it is an interesting hilt form usually found on Malay badiks - a small, single-edged and very-easily-concealed weapon that is easier to be carried around than the keris.



Thank you for the link, it was a delightful read indeed!
The Angkor-based Khmer Empire relation was interesting, since Pattani Kingdom was subjugated by the Siamese on the 17th century, so does the Khmer somewhere down the line, IMHO. Need to revisit old text that I have a copy to be exactly sure though...

Regards,
Moshah

Salaams Moshah and thank you for your excellent post.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.