Determine Front Side of The Pendok

David · 18th August 2017, 03:27 PM

My thought is that "B" is the front side of your pendok.

mariusgmioc · 18th August 2017, 07:57 PM

My vote is:
B-front
A-back

But I am a novice collector and my opinion is more based on gut feeling than on solid knowledge.

Jean · 18th August 2017, 08:21 PM

I also vote for B as the front side. I am quite impressed by this pendok, both the quality of the embossing work and the full decoration on the back side. Regarding the area of origin I also guess Northern Java as Marco in absence of a better alternative.
Regards

Sajen · 18th August 2017, 09:14 PM

Another vote for B as front side! Very nice and beautiful pendok!

And like Marco and Jean I vote for North coast Java but this is just my "feeling".

Regards,
Detlef

Rick · 19th August 2017, 01:02 AM

I get the floral side quite possibly being the front of this pendok.

What I'm interested in is the symbolism of the straight, almost pillar like embossing on what you guys think is the back.

Anyone have any thoughts about this feature?

Sajen · 19th August 2017, 01:20 AM

After a second look I think that A could be the front side. And I am sure that I have seen this what Rick decribe as pillar motive before, I need to check my collection for this.

Sajen · 19th August 2017, 01:49 AM

Have found it in a box where I keep a lot of different pendoks as spare parts. Not direct the same style but this pillars are present here as well. I ever have thought that my pendok is a Banyumas pendok but I could be wrong.

Regards,
Detlef

rasdan · 19th August 2017, 02:47 AM

Hi guys,

I don't know if it is normal for a North Coast Javanese pendok to have 2 design on each side with more or less similar level of workmanship. On Malay pendok usually the one on the back is less refined than the front.

Is side B motif Javanese? Probably one motif was made earlier than the other? Regarding the side with "pillar" design, if I am not mistaken, according to Alan, it is symbolic of renewal of life.

Here's a quote from Alan's previous catalogue, describing this motif "it shows the pupa of a dragonfly, progressing to its adult form. In Javanese symbolism, the dragonfly can be understood as a symbol related to the warrior, so the symbolism of this pendok is in fact closely related to extinction of, and renewal of life, a theme that is frequently found in Javanese art and thought."

If we look closely, there's a motif that starts from the bottom of the pendok "making it's" way to the top of the pendok and it's size and refinement grows as it reaches the top. I provide an example of this motif below.

18th August 2017, 09:14 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Another vote for B as front side! Very nice and beautiful pendok! And like Marco and Jean I vote for North coast Java but this is just my "feeling". Regards, Detlef Last edited by Sajen; 19th August 2017 at 01:15 AM.

19th August 2017, 01:49 AM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Have found it in a box where I keep a lot of different pendoks as spare parts. Not direct the same style but this pillars are present here as well. I ever have thought that my pendok is a Banyumas pendok but I could be wrong. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

19th August 2017, 02:47 AM	#8
rasdan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kuala Lumpur Posts: 368	Hi guys, I don't know if it is normal for a North Coast Javanese pendok to have 2 design on each side with more or less similar level of workmanship. On Malay pendok usually the one on the back is less refined than the front. Is side B motif Javanese? Probably one motif was made earlier than the other? Regarding the side with "pillar" design, if I am not mistaken, according to Alan, it is symbolic of renewal of life. Here's a quote from Alan's previous catalogue, describing this motif "it shows the pupa of a dragonfly, progressing to its adult form. In Javanese symbolism, the dragonfly can be understood as a symbol related to the warrior, so the symbolism of this pendok is in fact closely related to extinction of, and renewal of life, a theme that is frequently found in Javanese art and thought." If we look closely, there's a motif that starts from the bottom of the pendok "making it's" way to the top of the pendok and it's size and refinement grows as it reaches the top. I provide an example of this motif below. Attached Images Last edited by rasdan; 19th August 2017 at 10:59 AM.

18th August 2017, 03:27 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	My thought is that "B" is the front side of your pendok.

18th August 2017, 07:57 PM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,906	My vote is: B-front A-back But I am a novice collector and my opinion is more based on gut feeling than on solid knowledge.

18th August 2017, 08:21 PM	#3
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	I also vote for B as the front side. I am quite impressed by this pendok, both the quality of the embossing work and the full decoration on the back side. Regarding the area of origin I also guess Northern Java as Marco in absence of a better alternative. Regards

19th August 2017, 01:02 AM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	I get the floral side quite possibly being the front of this pendok. What I'm interested in is the symbolism of the straight, almost pillar like embossing on what you guys think is the back. Anyone have any thoughts about this feature?

19th August 2017, 01:20 AM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	After a second look I think that A could be the front side. And I am sure that I have seen this what Rick decribe as pillar motive before, I need to check my collection for this.