TABLE (?) for ID

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Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Indian Style...This is an Ayurveda massage table... You fill it with oil and get a massage on it... see https://www.google.com/search?q=indi...94lW13nDyTM%3A

How astonishing , thank you very much .

[A. G. Maisey]

Possibly so, possibly no.

The central motif in this projection displays carving that in Jawa would be interpreted as a representation of a Gunungan, along with a Tree of Life. In Javanese understanding these two forms are analogous.

Javanese culture, material and otherwise, is heavily influenced by Indian culture.

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Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Possibly so, possibly no.

The central motif in this projection displays carving that in Jawa would be interpreted as a representation of a Gunungan, along with a Tree of Life. In Javanese understanding these two forms are analogous.

Javanese culture, material and otherwise, is heavily influenced by Indian culture.

Very interesting .... and its function ?

[A. G. Maisey]

Not the vaguest idea.

I've never seen a low-line table like this in Jawa, but the carving style and general appearance of the thing could easily fit into a Javanese context.

My comment was only intended to address the motif and perhaps start a different line of thought.

In the Indian massage tables that I've seen, which are intended for use with oil, height is intended to facilitate use whilst standing, not whilst kneeling, and the projection at one end is bowl shaped to accept oil, most tables of this nature that I have seen have a border all round to prevent the oil dripping onto the floor.

[thinreadline]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Not the vaguest idea.

I've never seen a low-line table like this in Jawa, but the carving style and general appearance of the thing could easily fit into a Javanese context.

My comment was only intended to address the motif and perhaps start a different line of thought.

In the Indian massage tables that I've seen, which are intended for use with oil, height is intended to facilitate use whilst standing, not whilst kneeling, and the projection at one end is bowl shaped to accept oil, most tables of this nature that I have seen have a border all round to prevent the oil dripping onto the floor.

These are very pertinent points . The projection is flat and the opposite end is open , though is lighter coloured possibly indicating that an end piece has been removed or broken off.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

The item is incomplete... It has legs added to two struts underneath and crudely cut into the main bench... It is a couple of feet too short as can be seen by the end which has been roughly cut off. I even suspect that it hung from ropes from the roof...or more likely a couple of nails to hang it on a wall. There are interesting holes at the carved end. It is an ex-massage table

[thinreadline]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

The item is incomplete... It has legs added to two struts underneath and crudely cut into the main bench... It is a couple of feet too short as can be seen by the end which has been roughly cut off. I even suspect that it hung from ropes from the roof...or more likely a couple of nails to hang it on a wall. There are interesting holes at the carved end. It is an ex-massage table

yes these are good points , thank you. Ah well lit is still a nice decorative item that I shall keep.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Not the vaguest idea.

I've never seen a low-line table like this in Jawa, but the carving style and general appearance of the thing could easily fit into a Javanese context.

My comment was only intended to address the motif and perhaps start a different line of thought.

In the Indian massage tables that I've seen, which are intended for use with oil, height is intended to facilitate use whilst standing, not whilst kneeling, and the projection at one end is bowl shaped to accept oil, most tables of this nature that I have seen have a border all round to prevent the oil dripping onto the floor.

Please see #3 above. Note that the flat board usually has a bench somewhere in the house on which it can be put... The bench is additional to the massage board and I think that is because being covered in oil the board is then leaned against a wall or hung on nails to drip dry.