Stone inlay question

Gavin Nugent · 23rd July 2014, 10:35 AM

I have an old Madura keris hilt in ivory that appears to have once had a cabachon inlayed to the centre of the stylised sun motif on its back.
The size would have been just a fraction under 8mm x 5mm and flat backed.

My questions are;
1/ Would this have been a stone or something else?
2/ If a stone, what type would it be?
3/ If it wasn't a stone, what would it be?

The recess retains old black pitch.

Thanks

Gavin

David · 23rd July 2014, 11:35 AM

I know you must have thought about this by now,Gavin, but pictures wouldn't hurt the conversation.

Gavin Nugent · 23rd July 2014, 05:15 PM

Indeed David but it is 0100hrs here in Australia and I write from work...a long way from my collections....It is the Donoriko type with a sun burst in the centre of its back.

David · 24th July 2014, 02:22 AM

I can wait…

Gavin Nugent · 24th July 2014, 04:40 AM

Ta-da :-)

Nothing remarkable.

A. G. Maisey · 24th July 2014, 04:59 AM

I reckon that's a sun spot.

Gavin Nugent · 24th July 2014, 05:39 AM

But not a melanoma....

Looks more like a coronal hole...

Gavin Nugent · 25th July 2014, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I can wait…

David · 25th July 2014, 08:17 PM

Gavin, it does indeed look like something once occupied this spot, but i'm not sure i could give any reliable answer to your question of exactly what it was. Very possibly a stone, but what type is a pretty open. I'm not sure i have ever seen a stone set into this type of hilt before so i have no precedent to draw from.

It does look like someone my have chipped the ivory a bit digging the object out if that chip is a sign of that then it happened a little ways back.

kulbuntet · 15th August 2014, 07:57 PM

It could have contained a sun with a face or eyes, that was chipped out because islam does not allow it.

Or a illustration of something in relation with the Dutch, destroyed by one that did not like to look at it any more.

Both only speculations, but a possibility.

Gavin Nugent · 17th August 2014, 05:55 AM

Thank you very much for these ponderous thoughts

23rd July 2014, 10:35 AM	#1
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Stone inlay question I have an old Madura keris hilt in ivory that appears to have once had a cabachon inlayed to the centre of the stylised sun motif on its back. The size would have been just a fraction under 8mm x 5mm and flat backed. My questions are; 1/ Would this have been a stone or something else? 2/ If a stone, what type would it be? 3/ If it wasn't a stone, what would it be? The recess retains old black pitch. Thanks Gavin

24th July 2014, 04:40 AM	#5
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Ta-da :-) Nothing remarkable. Attached Images

23rd July 2014, 11:35 AM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	I know you must have thought about this by now,Gavin, but pictures wouldn't hurt the conversation.

23rd July 2014, 05:15 PM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Indeed David but it is 0100hrs here in Australia and I write from work...a long way from my collections....It is the Donoriko type with a sun burst in the centre of its back.

24th July 2014, 02:22 AM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	I can wait…

24th July 2014, 04:59 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,892	I reckon that's a sun spot.

24th July 2014, 05:39 AM	#7
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	But not a melanoma.... Looks more like a coronal hole...

25th July 2014, 08:17 PM	#9
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	Gavin, it does indeed look like something once occupied this spot, but i'm not sure i could give any reliable answer to your question of exactly what it was. Very possibly a stone, but what type is a pretty open. I'm not sure i have ever seen a stone set into this type of hilt before so i have no precedent to draw from. It does look like someone my have chipped the ivory a bit digging the object out if that chip is a sign of that then it happened a little ways back.

15th August 2014, 07:57 PM	#10
kulbuntet Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands Posts: 159	It could have contained a sun with a face or eyes, that was chipped out because islam does not allow it. Or a illustration of something in relation with the Dutch, destroyed by one that did not like to look at it any more. Both only speculations, but a possibility.

17th August 2014, 05:55 AM	#11
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Thank you very much for these ponderous thoughts