Identifying 3 hilts

milandro · 2nd February 2022, 09:53 AM

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.

Gustav · 2nd February 2022, 10:57 AM

I find interesting, that this recently carved figure, which perhaps could be identified as Rarung, holds a piece of fabric in each hand.
(In Barong play Rarung has a red magic cloth, which makes her invisible, when put over the head, but serves also other purposes during the play)

An older Bali Wadon hilt of David possibly has a piece of fabric in one or both hands.

Finally the old Wadon hilts from 16/17th centuries hold a piece of fabric in the left hand.

In modern Barong play Rangda has a piece a piece of magic fabric, called Kekudung or Kekereh, which makes her invisible when put over the head. Also Barong himself has such cloth.

Under the many layers of possible simplification/trivialisation/vulgarisation perhaps the same thing can be supposed as origin of this.

milandro · 2nd February 2022, 03:01 PM

Thanks, interesting remarks.

I wonder if there is anything specific in the Rarung story (or any other traditional character ) which would specifically be connected with the feature, to me very striking of the face being covered by the hair.

It seemed to me that should be a distinctive feature, present in both these carvings ,but ( please, correct me if I am wrong, I know you will) not very common in general .

ADDENDUM: I have found a description of the Calon Arang story

https://australian.museum/learn/cult...inting-e74214/

She is a widowed woman which at some point of the story transforms herself into Rangdna ( I am quoting from the link)

"The fifth scene has two parts: on the left the Minister and his party attack Calonarang, who is asleep without her headdress and with hair loose, in a pavilion within her house. In the right section Calonarang has transformed herself into the invulnerable witch Rangda. She is shown incinerating the minister, while his followers are dismayed and prepare to flee. Some versions of the story suggest that Calonarang was actually killed while still asleep and only then assumed her magical form and retaliated...."

So this may be really Calon Arang (in a way so this is just before she turns into Rangda )

2nd February 2022, 09:53 AM	#1
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 492	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. Attached Images

2nd February 2022, 10:57 AM	#2
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,280	I find interesting, that this recently carved figure, which perhaps could be identified as Rarung, holds a piece of fabric in each hand. (In Barong play Rarung has a red magic cloth, which makes her invisible, when put over the head, but serves also other purposes during the play) An older Bali Wadon hilt of David possibly has a piece of fabric in one or both hands. Finally the old Wadon hilts from 16/17th centuries hold a piece of fabric in the left hand. In modern Barong play Rangda has a piece a piece of magic fabric, called Kekudung or Kekereh, which makes her invisible when put over the head. Also Barong himself has such cloth. Under the many layers of possible simplification/trivialisation/vulgarisation perhaps the same thing can be supposed as origin of this. Attached Images

2nd February 2022, 03:01 PM	#3
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 492	Thanks, interesting remarks. I wonder if there is anything specific in the Rarung story (or any other traditional character ) which would specifically be connected with the feature, to me very striking of the face being covered by the hair. It seemed to me that should be a distinctive feature, present in both these carvings ,but ( please, correct me if I am wrong, I know you will) not very common in general . ADDENDUM: I have found a description of the Calon Arang story https://australian.museum/learn/cult...inting-e74214/ She is a widowed woman which at some point of the story transforms herself into Rangdna ( I am quoting from the link) "The fifth scene has two parts: on the left the Minister and his party attack Calonarang, who is asleep without her headdress and with hair loose, in a pavilion within her house. In the right section Calonarang has transformed herself into the invulnerable witch Rangda. She is shown incinerating the minister, while his followers are dismayed and prepare to flee. Some versions of the story suggest that Calonarang was actually killed while still asleep and only then assumed her magical form and retaliated...." So this may be really Calon Arang (in a way so this is just before she turns into Rangda ) Last edited by milandro; 2nd February 2022 at 03:13 PM. Reason: extra information