seeking advice on hulu
 

I just got this silver hulu and it was made in year 2000. I saw similar hulu on Balinese and Bugis keris. And can anyone advices me what exactly is the icon of this hulu represents? A Deity? A warrior?

I would love to see more pictures from different angles Anthony; I can't see anything beside the tumpal motif for sure. The rest of it makes my brain hurt trying to put the features all together.
Is it a natural shape clad in silver? My first impression was that it is a piece of Akar Bahar. :confused:

Only the maker will know IMO! ;)

Updated. Someone told me is a Bugis hulu and is a warrior............

Okay, I see it now; I think your informant is correct in his interpretation. The silver work is quite nice! Thanks for the extra pictures Anthony. :)

But not sure why it is done this way as my impression is that warrior should be lifting the head high rather than bending down. Is he asleep?

Possibly he is humble Anthony. Is this figure covered entirely in silver? It reminds me of a Gana hilt.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/search...archid=2973161

Hello Anthony,
The bent figure looks reminiscent of the old Makassar/ Goa figural hilts depicting an Hindu deity often interpreted as Arjuna. Your hilt is probably a copy of these hilts.

Yes, I agree with Jean, it's a nicely recent interpretation of the so-called Arjuna hilts. Here you can see a similar hilt: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...rjuna+sulawesi
And here you can see older examples of this form: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=gold+sulawesi

Hi, yes in silver. The link is not working.

Pardon for my ignorance as I am quite new to Bugis cultural histories.

My first impression is only Bali that worships Hindu Gods etc. And so why is a Hindu deity doing in a Bugis culture which is mainly Islam?

Hello Anthony,
Your recent hilt was probably made in Bali or Lombok, look at the selut especially.
And the Bugis and Makassar people were Hindus until their conversion to Islam (17th Century), and their royal krisses showed Hindu gods and motifs.
Regards

I see, thanks for this valuable information.