Unusual figural hilt

A. G. Maisey · 8th August 2014, 02:31 AM

Personally I doubt that it is a keris hilt.

A ferrule like this is very, very non-typical for a keris hilt. But it could be a keris hilt, a person who was outside the mainstream may have carved and fitted it.

It looks more like nondescript knife/dagger/tool handle than a keris hilt.

If I could handle it I could form a better opinion, from a photo these things are always difficult.

Rick · 8th August 2014, 03:42 AM

Agree, I think it is a repurposed handle; something about the carving of the face says more Java than Bali to me .

Jean · 8th August 2014, 10:50 AM

I agree with Alan and Rick. Any opinion about the blade origin, javanese or older balinese?
Regards

Rick · 7th February 2020, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Personally I doubt that it is a keris hilt.

A ferrule like this is very, very non-typical for a keris hilt. But it could be a keris hilt, a person who was outside the mainstream may have carved and fitted it.

It looks more like nondescript knife/dagger/tool handle than a keris hilt.

If I could handle it I could form a better opinion, from a photo these things are always difficult.

I'd bet it was originally made as a handle for a betel nut chisel.

A. G. Maisey · 11th February 2020, 10:51 PM

Yeah Rick, it could be I suppose, but to me it seems too big for that. All the handles of those little pestles that I've seen are much smaller, and tend to be sort like a pistol grip style. I think the name for those things is "pelecok" but I'm not sure and I have been unable to confirm.

8th August 2014, 10:50 AM	#3
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	I agree with Alan and Rick. Any opinion about the blade origin, javanese or older balinese? Regards Last edited by Jean; 9th August 2014 at 10:14 AM.

8th August 2014, 02:31 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	Personally I doubt that it is a keris hilt. A ferrule like this is very, very non-typical for a keris hilt. But it could be a keris hilt, a person who was outside the mainstream may have carved and fitted it. It looks more like nondescript knife/dagger/tool handle than a keris hilt. If I could handle it I could form a better opinion, from a photo these things are always difficult.

8th August 2014, 03:42 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Agree, I think it is a repurposed handle; something about the carving of the face says more Java than Bali to me .

11th February 2020, 10:51 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	Yeah Rick, it could be I suppose, but to me it seems too big for that. All the handles of those little pestles that I've seen are much smaller, and tend to be sort like a pistol grip style. I think the name for those things is "pelecok" but I'm not sure and I have been unable to confirm.