Identifying 3 hilts

apolaki · 6th August 2020, 04:40 AM

Thanks all for your impressions! What about this hilt, who could it be representing?

A. G. Maisey · 6th August 2020, 05:58 AM

Yep, Nawa Sari.

For a long time, a lot of people believed that Nawa Sari had nine heads of rice in his hand (nawa = nine) in fact he has a pandanus flower in his hand.

There was Forum discussion of this not all that long ago.

See:-

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=nawa+sari

apolaki · 6th August 2020, 01:04 PM

Thanks for the link to your description of Nawa Sari!! It was really interesting to read through.

I am interested to know if there are Balinese keris hilts in the shape of Barong? Do you happen to have any photos or discussions on that topic?

Would you say the photo below is Barong perhaps or another carving of Nawa Sari? The one below seems to be wearing a mahkota. I also took a photo of the back, and seems like there is something being held in the hand in the same orientation as Nawa Sari. Thanks again!

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Yep, Nawa Sari.

For a long time, a lot of people believed that Nawa Sari had nine heads of rice in his hand (nawa = nine) in fact he has a pandanus flower in his hand.

There was Forum discussion of this not all that long ago.

See:-

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=nawa+sari

Rick · 6th August 2020, 11:56 PM

It's always nice to be able to see the handle from a few angles; it makes identification easier.

apolaki · 7th August 2020, 01:17 AM

Thanks Rick!

What is the Prabu commonly holding in his hand?

Is there any story or history tied to Prabu hilts?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

It's always nice to be able to see the handle from a few angles; it makes identification easier.

Rick · 7th August 2020, 01:27 AM

You're welcome Apolaki.
I'm sorry but I'm not familiar with the object he holds in his left hand nor the object clasped in his right hand between his thumb and fingers.
I would love to know however, and also about the face on the back of his headdress; it looks like it might be a rendition of Garuda. I think I see one of these on your example of a Prabu.

One who knows could probably write a paper on the interpretation of the symbolism incorporated in hilts such as these.
I have heard that noble figures are shown with the eyes downcast.

apolaki · 9th August 2020, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apolaki

Thanks for the link to your description of Nawa Sari!! It was really interesting to read through.

I am interested to know if there are Balinese keris hilts in the shape of Barong? Do you happen to have any photos or discussions on that topic?

Would you say the photo below is Barong perhaps or another carving of Nawa Sari? The one below seems to be wearing a mahkota. I also took a photo of the back, and seems like there is something being held in the hand in the same orientation as Nawa Sari. Thanks again!

Does anyone know if this is a carving of Barong or Nawa Sari?

milandro · 28th January 2022, 01:45 PM

I am bumping this,

I have a similar hilt on a Balinese Keris, the seller, a great connoisseur in the NL, told me that this represents Rarung (or Rarong) a witch asistent of Rangda

David · 28th January 2022, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milandro

I am bumping this,

I have a similar hilt on a Balinese Keris, the seller, a great connoisseur in the NL, told me that this represents Rarung (or Rarong) a witch asistent of Rangda

I have seen this hilt described as the witch Calon Arang, but this all seems fairly recent and i cannot recalling seeing this form in old hilts, so i am not convinced it is a traditional form.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calon_Arang

A. G. Maisey · 28th January 2022, 10:40 PM

Calon Arang & Rarung are both female.

I cannot clearly see if this figure has the attributes of a woman, but it appears not to have.

Sajen · 8th March 2023, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milandro

I am bumping this,

I have a similar hilt on a Balinese Keris, the seller, a great connoisseur in the NL, told me that this represents Rarung (or Rarong) a witch asistent of Rangda

Hello,

I think your Netherlands connoisseur is correct. I have had a look in "Krisgreppen En Scheden Uit Bali En Lombok" from the deceased Mr. van Veenendaal, one of the best books about Bali hilts, and found on page 23 a similar hilt in ivory described as Rarung. See attached picture. Sorry for the quality, taken by handphone.

Regards,
Detlef

werecow · 8th March 2023, 11:15 PM

In case anyone is curious the Rarung segment reads:

Quote:

Rarung is the daughter and helper of Rangda/Durga in the Barong dance. The tapering ellipsoid decorations running from top to bottom are meant to represent the tangled hair.

Jean · 6th August 2020, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apolaki

Thanks all for your impressions! What about this hilt, who could it be representing?

IMO, this hilt depicts a prabu (king). This is a fairly common and standard style of hilt from Bali/Lombok.
Regards

6th August 2020, 04:40 AM	#1
apolaki Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 160	Thanks all for your impressions! What about this hilt, who could it be representing? Attached Images

6th August 2020, 11:56 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,287	It's always nice to be able to see the handle from a few angles; it makes identification easier. Attached Images

28th January 2022, 01:45 PM	#8
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 462	I am bumping this, I have a similar hilt on a Balinese Keris, the seller, a great connoisseur in the NL, told me that this represents Rarung (or Rarong) a witch asistent of Rangda Last edited by milandro; 28th January 2022 at 02:04 PM.

6th August 2020, 05:58 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,857	Yep, Nawa Sari. For a long time, a lot of people believed that Nawa Sari had nine heads of rice in his hand (nawa = nine) in fact he has a pandanus flower in his hand. There was Forum discussion of this not all that long ago. See:- http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=nawa+sari

7th August 2020, 01:27 AM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,287	You're welcome Apolaki. I'm sorry but I'm not familiar with the object he holds in his left hand nor the object clasped in his right hand between his thumb and fingers. I would love to know however, and also about the face on the back of his headdress; it looks like it might be a rendition of Garuda. I think I see one of these on your example of a Prabu. One who knows could probably write a paper on the interpretation of the symbolism incorporated in hilts such as these. I have heard that noble figures are shown with the eyes downcast.

28th January 2022, 10:40 PM	#10
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,857	Calon Arang & Rarung are both female. I cannot clearly see if this figure has the attributes of a woman, but it appears not to have.