Keris hilts with raised curved backbones

Loedjoe · 8th June 2020, 03:40 PM

Two keris hilts, Sumatra, probably both Palembang.

The first, mainly of natural formation?, possibly an abstract Garuda, with raised and curved backbone, hunched shoulders, large featureless head poking forward, with a blunt nose, Palembang-style carved decoration on the base at the front, marine? ivory. 7.2 cm.

The second of wood, mainly of natural formation, the head with lumps all over it, with raised and curved backbone. A rather sinister and forbidding figure. Hilt and selut (which is fixed firmly to the hilt), 8.5 cm.

Does the curved raised backbone indicate something?

I would love to see similar hilts from others on the Forum, and of course to learn more about this 'type'.

Athanase · 8th June 2020, 04:15 PM

Very nice!
I think Palembang too.

Interested Party · 8th June 2020, 05:56 PM

Could the second be a Veiled Durga style?

sirek · 8th June 2020, 07:38 PM

(imho) the second one is a type called: GANA-hilt

Sajen · 8th June 2020, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirek

(imho) the second one is a type called: GANA-hilt

I think that both can get called gana!

Interested Party · 8th June 2020, 09:02 PM

Sirek, good call. If the wood hilt is Gana wouldn't the marine ivory

hilt be Gana as well? Couldn't Gana be an abstract representation of an idea the carver is trying to convey, or conversely is the Gana style intended to be a void that the mind of the viewer fills with meaning, or option 3 is it that the viewer through an abstract form perceives what the object itself is or wishes itself to be?

Interested Party · 8th June 2020, 09:03 PM

Thanks Sajen you answered my question while I typed it

8th June 2020, 03:40 PM	#1
Loedjoe Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Oxford (UK) Posts: 96	Keris hilts with raised curved backbones Two keris hilts, Sumatra, probably both Palembang. The first, mainly of natural formation?, possibly an abstract Garuda, with raised and curved backbone, hunched shoulders, large featureless head poking forward, with a blunt nose, Palembang-style carved decoration on the base at the front, marine? ivory. 7.2 cm. The second of wood, mainly of natural formation, the head with lumps all over it, with raised and curved backbone. A rather sinister and forbidding figure. Hilt and selut (which is fixed firmly to the hilt), 8.5 cm. Does the curved raised backbone indicate something? I would love to see similar hilts from others on the Forum, and of course to learn more about this 'type'. Attached Images

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8th June 2020, 04:15 PM	#2
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 408	Very nice! I think Palembang too.

8th June 2020, 05:56 PM	#3
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 483	Could the second be a Veiled Durga style?

8th June 2020, 07:38 PM	#4
sirek Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 170	(imho) the second one is a type called: GANA-hilt

8th June 2020, 09:02 PM	#6
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 483	Sirek, good call. If the wood hilt is Gana wouldn't the marine ivory hilt be Gana as well? Couldn't Gana be an abstract representation of an idea the carver is trying to convey, or conversely is the Gana style intended to be a void that the mind of the viewer fills with meaning, or option 3 is it that the viewer through an abstract form perceives what the object itself is or wishes itself to be?

8th June 2020, 09:03 PM	#7
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 483	Thanks Sajen you answered my question while I typed it