Figural !

[David]

That is a remarkable bit of carving right there.
I would think Rangda is a fair attribution...in which case i would image the little baby is toast!

[jagabuwana]

I'm familiar with the baby-eating associations of Rangda, but is it common to depict her with a baby like this? It seems kinda vulgar, but then again I'm not too familiar.

[JustYS]

Thank you David.

Hi Jagabuwana,

I think it is not as common as Rangda without baby/little child, but courtesy to google I’ve found the following:

[werecow]

That second one is the first baby I've ever seen with breasts.

[jagabuwana]

Thank you, JustYS

[JoeCanada42]

Originally Posted by werecow

That second one is the first baby I've ever seen with breasts.

Perhaps she is pregnant and the Demon is impatient.
or it prefers them fresh , causes a miscarriage

[kai]

Rangda is considered a she, Joe.

She is reported to be not too fussy about her prey...

[werecow]

I love that keris grip btw. As a kid I often went to the ethnography museum with my parents here in Leiden, and the colorful Indonesian (and particularly Balinese) demon masks and Rangda in particular always creeped me out in a good way. Those creepy lidless eyes, those tusks, and that tongue! I love good horror imagery and monsters of any sort, but I have to admit that western demons don't really compare to the Balinese version.

[milandro]

I have just added this Hulu to my collection.( the picture on the left)

It is said to depict the goddess Devi Sarawati which represents knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. She is also part of the Tridevi with goddesses Lakshmi and Parvati.

I believe this was carved in the '70.

The material should be albino water buffalo horn ( or white Kerbau )

Interestingly at the same auction where I acquired my Hulu there was also ANOTHER (Right in the picture) almost identical hilt which was mounted on a similar kris where this will be mounted .