Bali keris for comment

A. G. Maisey · 28th March 2008, 11:44 PM

This Bali handle has had perplexed me from the moment I saw it.

The head is not a form that I have previously encountered, and it seems not to be a human head form at all, certainly not a form that I can even remotely associate with any of the more usual representations on Balinese keris handles.

Stylistically it most certainly has some age to it, and it displays a strength and vitality that is often lacking in later 20th century carvings, no matter how technically superb these later carvings may be.

The two black stones that Hoorn tells us he placed in the holes in the handle have caused me considerable confusion, so in the picture that is attached, I have removed them. We can now see clearly the outline of the space that surrounds the holes where Hoorn placed the black stones, we can also see the orientation of the eyes, and features of the head above the eyes.

In the left hand of this figure a feather is grasped.

I have spent considerable time researching attributes of both original Hindu deities and their Balinese versions to try to find a deity with the attribute of a feather. One by one I have eliminated all of the usual suspects.

So, what we have is a figure of human form with a feather grasped in the left hand, but with a head that cannot in any way be regarded as human, and an opening in the front of the head, where a mouth would normally be, that comes to a peak at the top, and has a rounded form flowing from the declines from the peak.

The form of this "mouth" opening is precisely the form of the cross-section of an eagle's beak at its base.

Garuda in Jawa-Bali art is very often represented in anthropomorphous form, that is, with a human body and an eagle's head. One of the earliest representations of Garuda in this form is to be found in the 8th century Dieng temple complex, on Candi Banon.

Now imagine this hilt figure with a beak projecting from the place where Hoorn has inserted a couple of black stones. The holes were to support the glued attachment of the beak; the beak was glued in place because the material was insufficient to allow it to be carved from the solid--- this type of attachment is not at all unusual in Balinese carvings.

Then we have the feather.

Based upon what I can see in these photographs , it is my opinion that this hilt figure could be a representation of Garuda, that has lost its beak.
As always there is the qualification that my opinion could change if I were to handle this hilt figure.

Amuk Murugul · 29th March 2008, 01:29 AM

Hullo everybody,

The two most famous(?) Hindu epics in the Nusantara archipelago are: Ramayana, Mahabrata.
Two well-known bird-figures from these epics are: Jatayu (vulture?) from Ramayana, Garuda (eagle?) from Mahabrata. ( Jatayu was/is the son/nephew of Garuda, depending on which version you follow).

Depictions of these figures are quite common. Sometimes, one is mistaken for the other.

In keeping with the assumed origin of the hilt, I have looked at Balinese depictions and have found one without a beak.
For those interested, please follow this link:

http://www.travel-images.com/photo-indonesia6.html

Best.

A. G. Maisey · 29th March 2008, 01:35 AM

That is indeed a very interesting image of Garuda.

I cannot help but wonder if perhaps Mona Sturges somehow got her notes confused.

Amuk Murugul · 29th March 2008, 01:52 AM

Hullo Alan,

Yes, I wondered that also.
My first impression was: Buta/Raksasa... or even Sugriwa.
But... I gave the written word the benefit of the doubt.

Best.

A. G. Maisey · 29th March 2008, 04:13 AM

It would be very relaxing if I could also accept every error that I see in print, regrettably I have been around for far too long, and am carrying far too much baggage to allow me to act in such a way.

I have no problem at all with allowing Mona to continue to believe that she has published a photograph of an image of Garuda---just so long that image stays exactly where it belongs.

I rather feel that if we could see the back of this image we might find that Mona's "Garuda" has tail not unlike that of a monkey.

hoorn178 · 29th March 2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

It would be very relaxing if I could also accept every error that I see in print, regrettably I have been around for far too long, and am carrying far too much baggage to allow me to act in such a way.

I have no problem at all with allowing Mona to continue to believe that she has published a photograph of an image of Garuda---just so long that image stays exactly where it belongs.

I rather feel that if we could see the back of this image we might find that Mona's "Garuda" has tail not unlike that of a monkey.

Thank you all very much for the input.!! When I look close to the mouth of the ivory hilt figure you can see some small teeth. That gives me doubt that there use to be a beak. I also showed the hilt to a friend of mine (not a keris expert) who is a jewelry / goldsmit and he was pretty sure that the holes in the mouth were made for stones of some kind.
Anyway as some forum members have said. Finding out about keris hilt figurs is very difficult. You all know so much more than me so Thanks again for your interesting input.
Best regards,
Bart van Hoorn.

Alam Shah · 29th March 2008, 12:13 PM

Some other pictures of Balinese Garuda.

Some other Hindu variant [ 1 ], [ 2 ]
- accompanying text -
The story of Garuda’s birth and deeds is told in the first book of the great epic Mahabharata. According to the epic, when Garuda first burst forth from his egg, he appeared as a raging inferno equal to the cosmic conflagration that consumes the world at the end of every age. Frightened, the gods begged him for mercy. Garuda, hearing their plea, reduced himself in size and energy.
- end -

Just sharing these images. What significance it have on this topic, I do not know.

28th March 2008, 11:44 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	This Bali handle has had perplexed me from the moment I saw it. The head is not a form that I have previously encountered, and it seems not to be a human head form at all, certainly not a form that I can even remotely associate with any of the more usual representations on Balinese keris handles. Stylistically it most certainly has some age to it, and it displays a strength and vitality that is often lacking in later 20th century carvings, no matter how technically superb these later carvings may be. The two black stones that Hoorn tells us he placed in the holes in the handle have caused me considerable confusion, so in the picture that is attached, I have removed them. We can now see clearly the outline of the space that surrounds the holes where Hoorn placed the black stones, we can also see the orientation of the eyes, and features of the head above the eyes. In the left hand of this figure a feather is grasped. I have spent considerable time researching attributes of both original Hindu deities and their Balinese versions to try to find a deity with the attribute of a feather. One by one I have eliminated all of the usual suspects. So, what we have is a figure of human form with a feather grasped in the left hand, but with a head that cannot in any way be regarded as human, and an opening in the front of the head, where a mouth would normally be, that comes to a peak at the top, and has a rounded form flowing from the declines from the peak. The form of this "mouth" opening is precisely the form of the cross-section of an eagle's beak at its base. Garuda in Jawa-Bali art is very often represented in anthropomorphous form, that is, with a human body and an eagle's head. One of the earliest representations of Garuda in this form is to be found in the 8th century Dieng temple complex, on Candi Banon. Now imagine this hilt figure with a beak projecting from the place where Hoorn has inserted a couple of black stones. The holes were to support the glued attachment of the beak; the beak was glued in place because the material was insufficient to allow it to be carved from the solid--- this type of attachment is not at all unusual in Balinese carvings. Then we have the feather. Based upon what I can see in these photographs , it is my opinion that this hilt figure could be a representation of Garuda, that has lost its beak. As always there is the qualification that my opinion could change if I were to handle this hilt figure. Attached Images

29th March 2008, 01:29 AM	#2
Amuk Murugul Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kaboejoetan Galoenggoeng Mélben Posts: 472	JATAYU or GARUDA? Hullo everybody, The two most famous(?) Hindu epics in the Nusantara archipelago are: Ramayana, Mahabrata. Two well-known bird-figures from these epics are: Jatayu (vulture?) from Ramayana, Garuda (eagle?) from Mahabrata. ( Jatayu was/is the son/nephew of Garuda, depending on which version you follow). Depictions of these figures are quite common. Sometimes, one is mistaken for the other. In keeping with the assumed origin of the hilt, I have looked at Balinese depictions and have found one without a beak. For those interested, please follow this link: http://www.travel-images.com/photo-indonesia6.html Best.

29th March 2008, 12:13 PM	#7
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	Garuda Some other pictures of Balinese Garuda. Some other Hindu variant [ 1 ], [ 2 ] - accompanying text - The story of Garuda’s birth and deeds is told in the first book of the great epic Mahabharata. According to the epic, when Garuda first burst forth from his egg, he appeared as a raging inferno equal to the cosmic conflagration that consumes the world at the end of every age. Frightened, the gods begged him for mercy. Garuda, hearing their plea, reduced himself in size and energy. - end - Just sharing these images. What significance it have on this topic, I do not know.

29th March 2008, 01:35 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	That is indeed a very interesting image of Garuda. I cannot help but wonder if perhaps Mona Sturges somehow got her notes confused.

29th March 2008, 01:52 AM	#4
Amuk Murugul Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kaboejoetan Galoenggoeng Mélben Posts: 472	Hullo Alan, Yes, I wondered that also. My first impression was: Buta/Raksasa... or even Sugriwa. But... I gave the written word the benefit of the doubt. Best.

29th March 2008, 04:13 AM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	It would be very relaxing if I could also accept every error that I see in print, regrettably I have been around for far too long, and am carrying far too much baggage to allow me to act in such a way. I have no problem at all with allowing Mona to continue to believe that she has published a photograph of an image of Garuda---just so long that image stays exactly where it belongs. I rather feel that if we could see the back of this image we might find that Mona's "Garuda" has tail not unlike that of a monkey.