Rencong with Hulu Puntung /rank or status ?
 

Recently I bought a rencong with hulu puntung and the seller claimed that this type of hilt indicated a high rank within the village.

Based on the information I have, status is mostly determined by the materials (ivory/ silver / gold) and not by the shape.

Any opinions / info on this subject ?

Best regards,
Willem

Hello Willem,

Have you asked him for his source?

There are some very simply carved, plain hulu puntung. OTOH, there are lots of gold/suasa decorated rencong with hulu meucangge, especially those with spiky crowns (tampo). There are quite a few ivory hulu puntung - guess that this is mainly due to limitations of the material though. OTOH, hulu puntung from akar bahar seem to be very rare while I've seen some hulu meucangge (too few hilts for sound statistics).

I'd guess so, too.

Regards,
Kai

Hello Willem,

Nice rencongs you have there, will you show the blades as well ?

Here's mine wich i recently purchased.
I know it has been posted on this forum before, but i don't have a lot info on it. If anyone would like to comment about its age (or anything else) please do.

This is the only photo i know of, where a rencong hulu puntung is carried.
Most of the pictures i have seen in books and museums data-bases show Acehnese carrying the hulu meucangge-type. Royals and people with a higher status (teukoe,panglima's) as well.

Regards

Hello Klewang,

Nice one you have with the hippo hilt. I did not know that the seller was able to communicate. requested him the price some time ago but received no reply :shrug:
it is missing a piece of precious metal between the hilt and the blade.

Here is picture of the blade of my latest purchase and in comparisson to another smaler one.
Notice the dark spot in the wood.
I don't see this type of wood to often with rentjongs. but have 2 of these scabbards now.