Kamardikan Lombok or Bali kris (Hilt & Pamor question)

A. G. Maisey · 25th February 2024, 01:07 AM

I'm really sorry that you have had to wait so long for some of us to respond to your question Milandro. A few hours can certainly seem like a very long time if one is stuck in an airport lounge or a bus-stop waiting room.

I cannot comment at all on who the character on the hilt might be, it is not any sort of traditional cultural depiction, & I believe only the carver might have some idea of whom it is supposed to represent.

From the photo of the blade I cannot tell if I am looking at pamor mlumah or pamor miring.

If it is pamor mlumah, it is as YS has said, wusing wutah, sub-category ilining warih, if it is pamor miring I don't know precisely how it should be named as a Balinese motif.

milandro · 25th February 2024, 07:46 AM

thanks

this appears to be a theme used by carvers on Lombok , I was given a few reference pictures (which I don't yet know if I can share) by my new friend Duncan of other hilts where a similar " mask" is carved or chiseled and it represents, apparently, one of the forms of a protective demon called Kala ( despite the lack of fangs )

These apparently are more than anything specific to Lombok and confirm my suspicion that this is a Kris from Lombok.

A. G. Maisey · 25th February 2024, 08:11 AM

Interesting.

milandro · 29th February 2024, 08:24 AM

Another hilt came my way few days after acquiring this kris, and , as it often happens to me, it felt " right".

So, I have replaced the previous CENANGAN, with another one. Carved in white water buffalo (one of my favourite materials) horn , I think it harmonises very well with this kris.

David · 29th February 2024, 05:28 PM

To my eye this is a more skillfully crafted hilt and does look nice with the ensemble. And of course, since you have an affinity for white buffalo horn, if it suits your tastes best that is what is ultimately important.

25th February 2024, 07:46 AM	#2
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 487	thanks this appears to be a theme used by carvers on Lombok , I was given a few reference pictures (which I don't yet know if I can share) by my new friend Duncan of other hilts where a similar " mask" is carved or chiseled and it represents, apparently, one of the forms of a protective demon called Kala ( despite the lack of fangs ) These apparently are more than anything specific to Lombok and confirm my suspicion that this is a Kris from Lombok. Last edited by milandro; 25th February 2024 at 08:08 AM.

29th February 2024, 08:24 AM	#4
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 487	Another hilt came my way few days after acquiring this kris, and , as it often happens to me, it felt " right". So, I have replaced the previous CENANGAN, with another one. Carved in white water buffalo (one of my favourite materials) horn , I think it harmonises very well with this kris. Attached Images

25th February 2024, 01:07 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,989	I'm really sorry that you have had to wait so long for some of us to respond to your question Milandro. A few hours can certainly seem like a very long time if one is stuck in an airport lounge or a bus-stop waiting room. I cannot comment at all on who the character on the hilt might be, it is not any sort of traditional cultural depiction, & I believe only the carver might have some idea of whom it is supposed to represent. From the photo of the blade I cannot tell if I am looking at pamor mlumah or pamor miring. If it is pamor mlumah, it is as YS has said, wusing wutah, sub-category ilining warih, if it is pamor miring I don't know precisely how it should be named as a Balinese motif.

25th February 2024, 08:11 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,989	Interesting.

29th February 2024, 05:28 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	To my eye this is a more skillfully crafted hilt and does look nice with the ensemble. And of course, since you have an affinity for white buffalo horn, if it suits your tastes best that is what is ultimately important.