MADURA ornamental hilts

[A. G. Maisey]

Hilt 2

[A. G. Maisey]

Hilt 3

[A. G. Maisey]

Hilt 4

[A. G. Maisey]

Hilt 5

[A. G. Maisey]

Hilt 6

[A. G. Maisey]

Hilt 7

[A. G. Maisey]

Hilt 8

[COYOTE]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Hilt 3

Very impressive and rare shape, very creative too. I guess that the balance in the hand is perfect. Madura actually has a unique and exquisite carving art.

[BluErf]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Hilt 2

Many beautiful hilts! Thanks to all for sharing. I've always wondered how come there are so many loose Madurese hilts around, and so little of them attached to Madurese kerises?

Regarding this hilt 2 from Alan, I would like to ask if the selut/mendak is a Madurese style?

Thanks.

[A. G. Maisey]

The selut + mendak on #2 is made in one piece, that is, the selut is not separate to the mendak.The mendak section of this fitting is similar to some Madura mendak that I have. However, although this fitting is old, it does not appear to be as old as the hilt, and the patination under the selut seems to indicate that originally a different selut may have been fitted.I do not think that this fitting can be regarded as typical of a Madura style, even though it does give some indication that it is of Madura manufacture.

[David]

I believe i showed some of these before, but in a different context.

[ganjawulung]

Originally Posted by David

I believe i showed some of these before, but in a different context.

The horse-hilt in your first pic is unique, David... And I think, the last hilt in your last pic is ivory, isn't it? (Below, another pics on Madura hilt and sheath. A madurese mediium-size keris, with maduran gayaman -- madura people call it "gabilahan". Flying horse -- kuda panolih -- ornaments in both, the hilt and also in the gabilahan sheath).

[ganjawulung]

"Kuda Panolih" is the name of Sumenep kingdom's symbol. It depicts a flying horse -- in the Maduran mythology, it is the horse of Joko Thole (a Maduran army commander in the past). And the name of the horse is "Megaremeng" (cloudy sky). Joko Thole had a sibbling brother, named Banyek Wedi then became a nobleman in Gresik, East Java. That is mythology, of course.

[ganjawulung]

This is another motif of "kuda panolih" with "crown" above the horse. Also, kuda panolih motif in the hilt...

[David]

Originally Posted by ganjawulung

The horse-hilt in your first pic is unique, David... And I think, the last hilt in your last pic is ivory, isn't it?

Ganja, every time i look on the forum my photos seem to change order of appearance. Right now the ivory hilt is posted first.
There are 2 horse hilts. One is bone and the other is wood. I don't think the wood one is unique because i have seen the same pattern before, though i don't think those were executed as nicely as this one. There is a lot of fine detailed carving on this one with many areas of through and through carving that are very skillfully done.
Your last ivory hilt is quite appealing to me. Thanks for posting.

[ganjawulung]

Originally Posted by David

There are 2 horse hilts. One is bone and the other is wood. I don't think the wood one is unique because i have seen the same pattern before, though i don't think those were executed as nicely as this one. There is a lot of fine detailed carving on this one with many areas of through and through carving that are very skillfully done.

David, your first horse-hilt looks like Bali "kocet-kocetan". But the second, I think it depicts "megaremeng" -- the flying horse of the Madura legend, Joko Thole. Pls regard the horse's wing carving... Usualy, "megaremeng" only carved in "kuda panolih" symbol...