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#1 |
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 318
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I just read the following here on the forum that was made by Utami:
Rencong is usually ordered by its blade length. Different from Indonesia’s standard measurement, i.e. metric measurement, in ordering rencong, you need to use international measurement. So instead of using “cm”, you need to use “inch”. The length of rencong blade is usually 3 – 10 inchies. The length of blade tells the value and the status of the owner. The longer the blade, the more valuable and can only be possessed by high rank people. For example, a 10-inch blade can only be ordered and possessed by noble or highly respected people. Is this a confirmed statement? My rencong with golden crowns is just over 10 inches and I have another big regular rencong that is exactly 10 inches. Any bigger rencong around? I think I have seen one that is bigger in a collection (Gayo region) but I am not sure as I did not measure but I am sure it was pretty big... |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: The Netherlands
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Hello Erik,
I have an old rencong with a blade that must be upto 15 inches. No gold / no crown / hilt from dark buffalohorn with a floral ornament on top. I will make some pictures when I have time. Best regards, Willem |
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#3 |
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Location: The Netherlands
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Here are the pictures with ruler in cms. / 1 inch = 2,54 cms / 1 cm =0,3937 inch
Last edited by asomotif; 30th December 2008 at 08:47 PM. |
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#4 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,200
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Erik, my hesitation to this information above is that there are smaller blades on gold hilted rencong with crowns that are for status and rank. This does not fit this hypothesis.
![]() Asomotif - that is one long rencong blade! ![]() |
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#5 |
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Location: Sweden
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Based on the large amount of rencong with long blades, and several high class ones with shorter blades, I also doubt this information regarding antique rencong.
But I suspect that Utami describes the rencong tradition of present time in Aceh as they are still being made? Michael |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Nov 2008
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Asomotif that is one heck of a Rencong.
Wonder how practical it still would be in "practical" use it seems a bit out of proportion to handle well. VVV you have some of the greatest rencongs I have seen outside (and maybe also including) a museum. Is the one on the left a Gayo piece? Could you show some more pictures of that? Regards, Erik |
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#7 | |
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Hello Erik,
Yes, this size rencong is not practical in use. Too long too heavy, difficult to handle and difficult to move and direct towards an opponent. But it is the longest I have ever seen and fun to have in the collection. as for Michaels rencong. Quote:
Most of the times these 'models' have brass at the base of the blade. This one too ? Best regards, Willem |
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#8 | |
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Yes it is a really nice piece to have indeed!
Quote:
Regards, Erik |
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#9 | ||
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Location: The Netherlands
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![]() Quote:
Quote:
One had suasa. but I can not recall where I saw that one. |
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#10 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,637
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![]() Quote:
I don't really know how to separate Gayo from Aceh rencong. Good you brought it up so I will have a look in the books when I am back home again. Here are some close ups of the left one which is the largest I have seen IRL so far. Unfortunately I don't remember the dimensions. Michael |
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#11 |
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Location: Sweden
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I checked my references and the left one is indeed Gayo (but no longer mine...).
Michael |
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