Unusual Asian knife with monkey hilt for ID

Battara · 8th May 2015, 01:24 AM

Interesting piece Ian. I agree. This looks like a Thai Hanuman to me in form and style.

Rick · 8th May 2015, 01:37 AM

The dress on the figure seems more in the Thai taste than particularly Indonesian/Balinese in style .
The blade carries hints in profile of the Pihakaetta shape along with Thai .

Ian · 8th May 2015, 04:55 AM

Jose:

I agree that this depiction looks like the Thai version of Hanuman. It is interesting that the Ramakien (the Thai version of the Ramayama) features Hanuman more prominently. The Ramakien was written under the direction of (and some say by) King Rama I at the end of the 18th C. King Rama I also built the Grand Palace in Bangkok and the great temple Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). Within this temple are many depictions of the Ramakien and of Hanuman. The picture below comes from that temple, and shows the typical face of the Thai Hanuman with open mouth and fearsome canine teeth (as also depicted in the knife above).

BTW, note the old style daab depicted in this painting--this form of daab dates to the earlier Ayutthaya period as best we can tell--and Ayutthaya was the seat of Rama's mythical kingdom.

Ian

Hanuman fights Totsakan's (Ravana's) army. Wall painting from Wat Phra Kaeo.

8th May 2015, 04:55 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,397	Jose: I agree that this depiction looks like the Thai version of Hanuman. It is interesting that the Ramakien (the Thai version of the Ramayama) features Hanuman more prominently. The Ramakien was written under the direction of (and some say by) King Rama I at the end of the 18th C. King Rama I also built the Grand Palace in Bangkok and the great temple Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). Within this temple are many depictions of the Ramakien and of Hanuman. The picture below comes from that temple, and shows the typical face of the Thai Hanuman with open mouth and fearsome canine teeth (as also depicted in the knife above). BTW, note the old style daab depicted in this painting--this form of daab dates to the earlier Ayutthaya period as best we can tell--and Ayutthaya was the seat of Rama's mythical kingdom. Ian *Hanuman fights Totsakan's (Ravana's) army. Wall painting from Wat Phra Kaeo.* Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 8th May 2015 at 05:16 AM. Reason: Added text

8th May 2015, 01:24 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Interesting piece Ian. I agree. This looks like a Thai Hanuman to me in form and style.

8th May 2015, 01:37 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	The dress on the figure seems more in the Thai taste than particularly Indonesian/Balinese in style . The blade carries hints in profile of the Pihakaetta shape along with Thai .