Malay Keris For Comment.
 

Just to check with you guys if you have come across with this unusual keris hilt. found in Patani, TQ in advance. Mykeris.

Hi mykeris,

The handle, looks like a makara styled hilt, normally reserved for parangs and badeks. It's in another form.. a mixture of known animals including having claws, a crocodile's body, the trunk of an elephant, scales and a large jaw (often potrayed devouring the naga).

attached: an example on the entrance balustrades lining the entrance on the steps to a temple building..

I'm with Alam Shah on this one, makara style. More commonly seen on other weapons in my limited experience .
drd

Thanks Alam, DrDavid. In this case, could it have some links to the Langkasuka hilt form? :) Perhaps others may have some comments. Whats your opinion bluerf?

It looks like a bird to me, with a crest. :) But seriously, I have never seen anything likt it before.

How about this? :)

http://books.google.com.sg/books?id=...age&q=&f=false

There's always a possibility.. but then again, what is a Langkasuka hilt form? Mykeris, can we get a closer, sharper image of the mouth area of the hilt? :)

Additional pics.
 

Perhaps, these would help.

makara
 

i think it quite similar with mine...

Hi BluErf, looking at the newer clearer pictures, it doesn't look like a bird to me.. the beak is not obvious, and the presence of fangs, might indicate otherwise. Some parts seems like have been gnawed at..

Hanggoye, beautiful carved hilt. good sampling. :)

Hi Hanggoye.. Yup agreed, initially might have looked something like yours..

attached: a makara hilt on a mid 19th Century, badek from Pattani.
Although not the same form, here showing a variant of a makara hilt form. This example have a langkasukan motif, a swirling foliage, at the ear area, (behind the eyes).. which is a feature on many tajong hilts..

It looks more serpent to me, can be a culah. A form of dragon. Which belief to guard the seas, ancient belief there supposed to have one culah guarding one's country's sea or there are 7 numbers for the seven seas.

Back then it was part of ancient rituals to such creature sea as form of guard being it be for sea battle, fishery or any activities involving the sea waters.

Hullo everybody,

...... It all depends on one's perception...

There are two mythical creatures which are usually linked, .....
the Naga and the Makara.
When depicted together, the Naga is often seen issuing forth from the mouth of the Makara...
In all the hilts of the preceding posts, only the opener looks different. All the others look similar to each other.
Remembering that the Makara has the characteristics of crocodile, elephant and serpent, I tend to think that the opening picture is that of a Naga hilt, while the other three hilts are indeed Makaras.( As a matter of fact, Nagas have traditionally been depicted with 'cowls', like cobras, going around the back of their heads. In some areas, these 'cowls' have become so stylised that they resemble 'crests' and some can easily be mistaken for horns or elephant trunks.
Perhaps Alam Shah would be kind enough to provide us with a picture of a total statue of a Makara-Naga combo, showing the head of a Naga).

Best,

As requested.. the naga and the makara..

Hullo everybody.....

Thank you Alam Shah, for being so prompt and forthcoming.
Looking at the picture, if I were to carve a hilt to include the Naga 'crest', I would have three obvious choices:

- to leave it jutting up into the air (impractical, unless for ceremonial pieces)

- to bend/curve the 'crest' so that the tip joins the head (for added strength)

- to make the 'crest' 'stumpy'

For practicality and aesthetics without diminishing the symbolism too much, I'd opt for the second choice.
But, .... to each, his own.

Best,

Another example of a makara hilt form.. (sorry for the poor pic quality).. :(

Thats nice and logical samples, Alam. Keep it up! :)

Possibly not devouring the Naga, but giving birth.

Good point Bill.. didn't thought of that.. :confused: