Another Mystery?

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by kai

I fully agree, Gavin. Apologies for not responding to Gustav's correction! Not sure what happened back then - must have been a senior moment, twice...

BTW, any ideas what might be the southernmost limit for traditional production of this burung serindit hilt type? They might have been traded more widely while apparently genuine ensembles seem to point to the NW coast of the Malay peninsula (and possibly the NE Sumatran coast across the Straits?). During the 20th century, this motif seems to have been picked up more widely by carvers.

Interestingly, a distinct style of non-stylized representation of cockatoo hilt (for sewar) hails from the northeastern coast of Sumatra (now part of Aceh and possibly reaching down to the Deli/Asahan region?) and apparently the western coast of the Malay peninsula, too. This seems to be an older type than the keris hilt.

Regards,
Kai

I agree with your thoughts Kai.

To me personally, I feel the Tumbuk (Sewar to some) with the distinct parrot head hulu and parrot head sampir can be in some instances be a good deal older than the keris hulu, and it does seem, (but) at what point I do not know, that the keris hulu did find its way over to the east coast too, in both keris and Sundang as seen in these pages.

It is possible they developed together though as many of the Sundang I've seen from Malaysia/Malaysia Borneo appear to carry an eagle head pommel.... and very Terengganu like blades and features...

Just out of interest, when looking at the Perak Royal Regalia photo from 1907, there is a large example of the Tumbuk with a head that looks dressed like the Parang Nabur/Beladah Belabang of Kalimantan. One of our learned colleagues here calls them Pedang Salin Alai Waloet.

The most southern point, I've never really explored.... delving in to the mind's archives, it seems to have stopped at the Sultanate of Deli and the regions below had their own unique carving styles.... I may look in to further some day if a LONG life is had.

A couple of random links, the book to this link since released.
https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sun...d-islamic-arts

Perak Royal regalia
https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sun...d-islamic-arts

And one for good luck
https://sembangkuala.wordpress.com/2...um-sultan-ali/