Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Miscellania
FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 30th July 2014, 05:49 AM   #1
A. G. Maisey
Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6,879
Default Bangkol

These three little hooks fall into the realm of extreme rarity. They are Javanese.

The two on the left are definitely bangkol. A bangkol is a hook that was worn on the sabuk and was used by a mounted warrior to hold the reins of his horse so he could use both hands to manage his weapons.

The hook on the right might be a bangkol, or it might be a hook used to support a thin strip of bambu that supports the sarung and holds it away from the body of a newly circumcised boy, in order to avoid irritating the wound.

The difference between these two similar items is that usually the hook used after circumcision is open on the bottom allowing it to be slipped over the belt, whereas the bangkol is closed at the bottom permitting positive fixing. However, often the circumcision hook has a hole in it somewhere that assists the fixing of the bambu, this one shown lacks the hole.

Iron and mamas, iron and gold.
Attached Images
 
A. G. Maisey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30th July 2014, 12:55 PM   #2
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,761
Default

Have seen it before but don't have known what it is. Again, thank you for sharing and for solving the mystery.
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30th July 2014, 01:22 PM   #3
A. G. Maisey
Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6,879
Default

As I remarked, these things are pretty scarce, and I guess because of this they are often unknown, or mis-identified. In fact, they have even been mis-identified in museum exhibitions and authoritative publications.
A. G. Maisey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26th December 2023, 04:12 PM   #4
Athanase
Member
 
Athanase's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Paris (France)
Posts: 408
Default

Hello,
After discovering the existence of these objects thanks to the subject on the Timang, I always had the hope of finding one for sale one day.
And it’s now done!

Here are 2 Bangkols :

A very simple bronze one which seems to be the oldest of the 2. We have the impression that the opening of the mouth was intended to accommodate something.

The second, made of iron, has lost 90% of its gold inlays and all its stones (probably Intans and Rubies). But it is dated December 7, 1841 or July 12, 1841
Attached Images
      
Athanase is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26th December 2023, 04:14 PM   #5
Athanase
Member
 
Athanase's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Paris (France)
Posts: 408
Default

The last pictures
Attached Images
   
Athanase is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26th December 2023, 07:45 PM   #6
kai
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,254
Thumbs up

Congrats, Séverin!

Very nice examples: The Naga might well have held a ball in its mouth.

The iron one really exhibits great chiseling work - neat!

Regards,
Kai
kai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26th December 2023, 08:38 PM   #7
A. G. Maisey
Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6,879
Default

Well done Athanase, these little things are very difficult to find, and if purchased from somebody who knows what they are, and the implications, they can be inordinately expensive.

Just a note on the name used for these reins hooks.

When goods are carried on a shoulder pole (pikul), a peg, or sometimes two pegs, are inserted in the pole to prevent the carrying cord of the burden carried, from slipping. These pegs are named "bangkol":- they prevent something from slipping out of position.

The name for these reins hooks seems to have been stolen from the pegs used with the pikul, just as with the pegs in the pikul, the reins hook prevents the reins from flying loose, and leaving the rider with no control over his mount.
A. G. Maisey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26th December 2023, 10:11 PM   #8
Athanase
Member
 
Athanase's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Paris (France)
Posts: 408
Default

Thank you for the details.
Athanase is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:01 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.