Cirebon buta bajang damaged ...

[henri]

Thank you Alan for the reply . I was more talking about the fact the face and some parts of the buta bajang were removed probably with a sharp tool ...
This handle is probably old with natural cracking due to the age .

[A. G. Maisey]

Oh yes.

No explaining insanity Henri.

I haven't seen something like this previously, and cannot offer any explanation.

[Sajen]

Hello Henri,

I think that there are two possibilities for this. For the first one read this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10454. But I doubt that this is by your hilt the case. When I look to your pictures I think to see the traces of mouse or rat bites. This I have seen many times by indonesian wooden items. Indonesians eat with their hands/fingers and when they have touched after meal for example this keris hilt the taste and smell is still present at the handle and a hungry mouse/rat will try to eat it. I think this is the case by your keris hilt. Have a look here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=mouse

Regards,

Detlef

[Rick]

I would vote for your explanation, Detlef .
Certainly does look like rodent gnaw .

[henri]

Thank you Detlef . Looks like you are right ! Most of the "bites" are uncontrolled . Probably some parts of this hilt were more or less spicy

[A. G. Maisey]

I like the rat theory.

I must admit I've never seen this, but its logical, and it certainly could happen.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

I like the rat theory.

I must admit I've never seen this, but its logical, and it certainly could happen.

Hello Alan,

I have a shield from Halmahera which is heavily bitten from a rat at the handle area. Unfortunately I have given it to my friend for restauration so I can't take pictures. But will ask him for some pictures to show this.

Regards,

Detlef

[Rick]

Mice will eat the fanbelt in your car .
A keris handle would be haute cuisine .

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by henri

Thank you Detlef . Looks like you are right ! Most of the "bites" are uncontrolled . Probably some parts of this hilt were more or less spicy

Henri, you would be surprised how spicy not only indonesian people can eat but also animals. When you buy food in Indonesia at a warung (snack bar) you get it packed in paper with sambal (chili sauce) packed in plastic. You open all and eat it with your fingers. The sambal I am used to put at the paper. I have bought one time chicken with rice and sambal and have over the bones, some rice and some sambal. This I have given to a hungry dog. The dog eat not only the bones and the rice but also the very spicy sambal!!

Regards,

Detlef