Identifying 3 hilts

[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

[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!

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]

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

[apolaki]

Thanks Rick!

What is the Prabu commonly holding in his hand?

Is there any story or history tied to Prabu hilts?

Originally Posted by Rick

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

[Rick]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[milandro]

The version of this carved hilt that I have appears to have breasts, and on account of this I’d say it may look female at least in the intentions of the carver. I understand that other elements that we in the west may suppose feminine aren’t necessarily so especially in the Balinese iconography, but the general “ feel” is that this is a feminine entity. Whether Rarung or otherwise.

I found remarkably few references (in western Internet) to Rarung and no Iconographic source (other than this one above ) to compare to my carved figure on the Hilt of may Balinese keris.

But here are picture of this hilt for you to see.

[David]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

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.

I have seen many fairly recent examples of this hilt form that are all clearly meant to be female so i believe it is safe to assume this one also exhibits some feminine form if viewed from the right angle.
Still had to be sure if it is meant to represent Calon Arang or any other specific female character though. I don't believe i have ever seen this form in an antique hilt. If anyone has an antique example i would love to see it. But until then i consider this form to be contemporary in nature.

[Sajen]

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]

In case anyone is curious the Rarung segment reads:

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.

[Rick]

These two handles on this page represent Rarong?
Quite a difference!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by werecow

In case anyone is curious the Rarung segment reads:

Thanks for the translation!