Two Bali Hilt ID

[Sajen]

The first hilt is rather nice but it's not what collectors call Bayu, please compare to three of my hilts. But I can't name it, sorry. A priest or a king? Another god? The Bayu hilts I've seen, had or handled had fangs, your hilt with its pictured person doesn't have fangs. I just don't know. Mr. van Veenendaal is not with us anymore so I can't ask him. Maybe Alan has an idea!?

The second hilt is a monster! I've commented on the complete keris before. I hope Alan can tell us something about this sort of keris, like I said in the other thread, I've seen similar keris before, I never had such a keris so I never had an interest to know more about these types.

Regards,
Detlef

[HughChen]

Originally Posted by Sajen

The first hilt is rather nice but it's not what collectors call Bayu, please compare to three of my hilts. But I can't name it, sorry. A priest or a king? Another god? The Bayu hilts I've seen, had or handled had fangs, your hilt with its pictured person doesn't have fangs. I just don't know. Mr. van Veenendaal is not with us anymore so I can't ask him. Maybe Alan has an idea!?

The second hilt is a monster! I've commented on the complete keris before. I hope Alan can tell us something about this sort of keris, like I said in the other thread, I've seen similar keris before, I never had such a keris so I never had an interest to know more about these types.

Regards,
Detlef

Thank you, Detlef
Your hilts are very beautiful. Whether the inlays on your hilts are natural gemstones or glass?

I have two wooden hilts in my collection, they are much more abstract.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by HughChen

Your hilts are very beautiful. Whether the inlays on your hilts are natural gemstones or glass?

I have two wooden hilts in my collection, they are much more abstract.

Thank you HC! I think that most of the stones are real stones.

One of your hilts is Bugis and the other one from Sumatra.

Regards,
Detlef

[Interested Party]

I really like the middle guy Detlef. In my mind the key to identify the common Bayu icon, the god of wind and breath, is the object he holds in his right hand. It contains the amrita, or an elixir of eternal life. Maybe a message on how important breathing exercises were considered in Hindu/Buddhist, and Taoist cultures.

[A. G. Maisey]

The Balinese hilt is one of the multitude of variations of the Prabu model, 'Prabu' or 'Prabhu' means king, lord, emperor.

[HughChen]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

The Balinese hilt is one of the multitude of variations of the Prabu model, 'Prabu' or 'Prabhu' means king, lord, emperor.

Thank you, Maisey

Do you mean this hilt is not a specific reference to a specific person or god？ How can we find other variations of the Prabu model?

[A. G. Maisey]

No, it is not a reference to a specific person or dewa.

The style of all Bali keris hilts varies from time to time & from maker to maker, there are certain indicators or attributes that permit us to relate the hilt to an overall style.

This hilt appears to have a crown, and as far as I can see, no other attribute, so then we ask:- who wears a crown?

There are numerous examples of the prabhu form in published works.

[HughChen]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

No, it is not a reference to a specific person or dewa.

The style of all Bali keris hilts varies from time to time & from maker to maker, there are certain indicators or attributes that permit us to relate the hilt to an overall style.

This hilt appears to have a crown, and as far as I can see, no other attribute, so then we ask:- who wears a crown?

There are numerous examples of the prabhu form in published works.

Thank you Maisey. One more question, what's the meaning of making a hilt as a king statue? I thought ordinary they should be certain god or demon.

[JustYS]

Originally Posted by HughChen

Thank you, Maisey

Do you mean this hilt is not a specific reference to a specific person or god？ How can we find other variations of the Prabu model?

Welcome to the forum HughChen.

I believe this is one of the variations of Prabu:

[Interested Party]

Originally Posted by JustYS

I believe this is one of the variations of Prabu:

Interesting. To me it has the same right arm position as the Jawa Demam.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Interested Party

I really like the middle guy Detlef.

Thank you IP!

[A. G. Maisey]

YS, is that a crown or a crab claw hair style?

[JustYS]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

YS, is that a crown or a crab claw hair style?

Hi Alan,

I guess it is sort of hair ornament like in wayang?

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes Yohan, that's what I was looking for, but what i think I can see in your hilt is still unclear to me, I'm not sure what I'm looking at. I expected to see either a distinct crown or a distinct "crab claw" type noble hair style, in the hilt I'm not sure if it is supposed to be one or the other.

However, if it is a crown, the hilt is Prabhu style, if it is a hairstyle we need to match it to a wayang hair style --- maybe the "crab claw" & then look for other attributes that might permit us to affix a name, say, FX, Arjuna.