'Crown' mounts on sikin panjang

kai · 7th February 2013, 07:07 AM

Hello Jose,

Water buffalo (kerbau, carabao, etc.) seems to be the quite universal default origin of Aceh/Sumatran hilts if made from horn; sometimes you see the blonde variety from albino mutant kerbau. I can't remember any antique piece for which any other origin of the horn was likely (much less verified which would be tough short of DNA evidence). Except for rhino that is, which has been utilized for carving very few smaller hilts (keris, etc.).

Regards,
Kai

T. Koch · 7th February 2013, 02:13 PM

I agree a 100% with kai in the above. Although I find it interesting, that they often seem to be carved of the light brown variety and very rarely darker or completely black. At least as far as the specimens type of hulu tumpang beunteung I've seen.

I also second the rhino comment. SEA rhino species have always been scarce - even though not as bad off as today, where there's a couple hundred left of the Sumatran and less than 100 of the Javan. I expect those guys to be gone like many of the other subspecies before my own children are old enough to go and see them. Even back when more plentiful, they were notoriously hard to find as they are relatively small and good at moving unseen through thick jungle.

They also yield a rather deminutive horn compared to the African or even Indian species. I have never read any historical sources of the use of SEA rhino horn, but I would expect it to be a product reserved for the very few.

All the best, - Thor

asomotif · 7th February 2013, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T. Koch

I agree a 100% with kai in the above. Although I find it interesting, that they often seem to be carved of the light brown variety and very rarely darker or completely black. At least as far as the specimens type of hulu tumpang beunteung I've seen.

Yes, agree on this one too.

Although there are exceptions, my general impression is also that the dark horn is often used when more detailled and elaborate floral carvings are made.

T. Koch · 8th February 2013, 05:59 AM

Wow Willem, that's a total masterpiece that one (your link)! The wear and patina to the hulu is just gorgeous and who wouldn't love to have one of that age? Made me drool in my morning coffee...

Joe, your set is also stunning! They compliment each other really well: With gold crown, ivory throat and jawi inscriptions, you have all the different types of possible icing on the sikim-cake - indeed a true trinity!

Thanks for posting the extra pics - made my morning!

Have a cool day, - Thor

7th February 2013, 07:07 AM	#1
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Jose, Water buffalo (kerbau, carabao, etc.) seems to be the quite universal default origin of Aceh/Sumatran hilts if made from horn; sometimes you see the blonde variety from albino mutant kerbau. I can't remember any antique piece for which any other origin of the horn was likely (much less verified which would be tough short of DNA evidence). Except for rhino that is, which has been utilized for carving very few smaller hilts (keris, etc.). Regards, Kai

7th February 2013, 02:13 PM	#2
T. Koch Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Mother North Posts: 189	I agree a 100% with kai in the above. Although I find it interesting, that they often seem to be carved of the light brown variety and very rarely darker or completely black. At least as far as the specimens type of hulu tumpang beunteung I've seen. I also second the rhino comment. SEA rhino species have always been scarce - even though not as bad off as today, where there's a couple hundred left of the Sumatran and less than 100 of the Javan. I expect those guys to be gone like many of the other subspecies before my own children are old enough to go and see them. Even back when more plentiful, they were notoriously hard to find as they are relatively small and good at moving unseen through thick jungle. They also yield a rather deminutive horn compared to the African or even Indian species. I have never read any historical sources of the use of SEA rhino horn, but I would expect it to be a product reserved for the very few. All the best, - Thor

8th February 2013, 05:59 AM	#4
T. Koch Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Mother North Posts: 189	Wow Willem, that's a total masterpiece that one (your link)! The wear and patina to the hulu is just gorgeous and who wouldn't love to have one of that age? Made me drool in my morning coffee... Joe, your set is also stunning! They compliment each other really well: With gold crown, ivory throat and jawi inscriptions, you have all the different types of possible icing on the sikim-cake - indeed a true trinity! Thanks for posting the extra pics - made my morning! Have a cool day, - Thor