a strange hulu detail

[BluErf]

Originally Posted by David

Cabochons are generally stone, not wood. While i agree that it is not unheard of to see stones, metal and wood embedded into blades and dress for talismanic reason i think what we really need to look at is the method used here. This wooden "cabochon" has been rather crudely glued to the side of this hilt, not embedded. I would think that more care and craft would be applied if there was some serious purpose to this addition.

I know what Shahrial is referring to - I have seen rings mounted with cabochon-shaped wood here in Singapore. There are also rings mounted with a flat square piece of wood. These wood which are mounted on rings are believed to have mystical power. Perhaps we can relate that to the Spirit of Wood belief in the Malay world.

[David]

Originally Posted by BluErf

I know what Shahrial is referring to - I have seen rings mounted with cabochon-shaped wood here in Singapore. There are also rings mounted with a flat square piece of wood. These wood which are mounted on rings are believed to have mystical power. Perhaps we can relate that to the Spirit of Wood belief in the Malay world.

Kai Wee, i don't think there is any question that mystical powers are attributed to various woods throughout that area (and indeed in other parts of the world). Ity is part of the reason particular woods are chosen to carve hilts and sheaths to begin with. But the question here is would someone in Jawa crudely adhere a piece of such wood to a hilt in a way that would stand out as and set him apart from the culture norm of the community in which he lives, a culture that is known for very strict parameters of design for such things?

[BluErf]

That has been explained by Alan as rather unlikely, but what Shahrial and I have mentioned is just to share what may be an acceptable practice in the Malay world. Not to say that in our part of the World, we simply glue the special piece of wood to something, but it is the significance of the wood, rather than the way it is mounted, or on what it is mounted, that counts, I guess.

[Rick]

Suggesting perhaps that this Yogya hilted keris once belonged to a Malay and was adapted to his culture ?

[BluErf]

More likely the keris 'designers' took a leaf out of the Malay World practices in their continuous 'search' for new and exotic designs!

[Rick]

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by BluErf

More likely the keris 'designers' took a leaf out of the Malay World practices in their continuous 'search' for new and exotic designs!

Haha.. perhaps..
Regarding the Javanese culture, I agree with what Alan said. There are many collectors outside Java, collecting Javanese pieces.. whom perhaps does not conform to the strict Javanese culture and traditions.. I'm not saying that this practice is ok, but perhaps outside Java, anything goes.. even in other parts of Indonesia, like Sumatra and other remote location..