RAKSASA & Buta Bajang Figure Hilts

[erikscollectables]

This is an extention of the jawa demam and raksasa discussions going on.
Here are four figural hilts that I used to call raksasa as in the flesh eating demon from the ramayana.

They have a series of characteristics that can be found in each one (and one small difference which makes two subtypes to me)

Who can help specify/identify the specific character?

Front of head with a diadem
Mouth with stylized fangs
Beaklike nose with a sort of lip?
To the side of the head some sort of hairy/flowerlike extension of the hair.
Clearly identifyable hands and knees both with bracelets
Position of hand on knees (right hand sideways to the knee, left hand over the knee
Position of fingers (right hand with pinkee to the belly, left hand with the thumb to the belly)
Sitting on a throne of leaves (tumbal?)
Necklace type A ending flowerlike type B clearly snakelike
Long hair stretching unto the back


Well that was all I could find and here are the photo's!

[erikscollectables]

It seems I can answer my own question.
Just reread Jenssen krisdisk chapter 3 and 4 what I should have done before!

He describes this character as Bima, the fiercest of the Pandawa brothers.

Are there other opinions on this then what Jenssen wrote?
If there are other sources I can read about this please let me know!

Regards, Erik

And the thing aroudn the ear is called sumping ron which is a leaflike jewellery!

[David]

He describes this character as Bima, the fiercest of the Pandawa brothers.
Are there other opinions on this then what Jenssen wrote?
hmmmm, Bima was supposedly the son of Bayu, the wind god, so the first question that crosses my mind is why would he then be depicted with fangs?
:shrug:
Just because it's in a book or on a CD doesn't necessarily make it so. ;) :)

[Sajen]

Hello Erik,
first off all i want to tell you that there are more different "subtypes" of this form. I have 9 handles of this form in my collection and there are two which have a garuda mungkur in the back, one have a diadem in front of the head and two I have where the hands are floral carved. When I find the time I will take some pictures to show this.
Second I have to agree with David. Jenssen don't give a source from where he know that this is Bima for sure.
sajen

[David]

...then again, i believe that Bima has been depicted with a moustache, so maybe those "fangs" aren't fangs afterall. :shrug:

[erikscollectables]

David and others,

What are the opinions on Jenssen?
To me (only 2 years interested in the subject and with only a small library) it seems to be the best resource in a language I can read.
That does not make everything in the book true of course but a good basis for at least an hypothesis I would say.

So the hypothesis would be it is Bima.
I have not been able after some reading and googling to confirm nor deny the hypothesis yet.

Any opinions on the character being Bima?
And what are the opinions on the Krisdisk, is there a better book around?

Regards, Erik

[erikscollectables]

Hello Erik,
first off all i want to tell you that there are more different "subtypes" of this form. I have 9 handles of this form in my collection and there are two which have a garuda mungkur in the back, one have a diadem in front of the head and two I have where the hands are floral carved. When I find the time I will take some pictures to show this.
Second I have to agree with David. Jenssen don't give a source from where he know that this is Bima for sure.
sajen

Hi Sajen,

I totally agree there are more subtypes of this type of hilt I tried to find as many specimens of this specifice type without all the exceptions.

Would love to see the types you have.

In chapter 3 and 4 Jenssen describes at least 6 subtypes.
the one with the garuda mungkur not I think, what is it?

I have another strange version I will include here but it certainly is not the same as the mentioned Bima figural hilt. It is a crossed arms version with a snake on the back. Maybe links to the type you mention? Not so far away from a jawa demam, very old and quite worn.

Regards, Erik

[Sajen]

Hi Sajen,

I totally agree there are more subtypes of this type of hilt I tried to find as many specimens of this specifice type without all the exceptions.

Would love to see the types you have.

In chapter 3 and 4 Jenssen describes at least 6 subtypes.
the one with the garuda mungkur not I think, what is it?

I have another strange version I will include here but it certainly is not the same as the mentioned Bima figural hilt. It is a crossed arms version with a snake on the back. Maybe links to the type you mention? Not so far away from a jawa demam, very old and quite worn.

Regards, Erik


Hello Erik,

yes this seems to be a garuda mungkur. Maybe later at the eving I will post some pictures.
sajen

[erikscollectables]

Hello Erik,

yes this seems to be a garuda mungkur. Maybe later at the eving I will post some pictures.
sajen

Will start googling again because I do not know this name.

Regards, Erik

[David]

What are the opinions on Jenssen?
To me (only 2 years interested in the subject and with only a small library) it seems to be the best resource in a language I can read.
That does not make everything in the book true of course but a good basis for at least an hypothesis I would say.
So the hypothesis would be it is Bima.
I don't pesonally have any opinion of Jensen as i do not own his Kris Disc as of yet. It may well be a very good reference. I do know that there is no way you can rely on any single source for accurate keris information and that "accurate" can change from island to island and era to era. Every book i have on the subject has at least some questionable material in it.
I wouldn't say that "the hypothesis would be it is Bima". That is, apparently, Jensen's hypothesis, but i have never read that from any other author i am familiar with.
Perhaps someone who has the Kris Disc can fill us in on what exactly has lead Jensen to his hypothesis. If he has no sources and no observational reasoning for his statement then it is more a guess than a hypothesis. :shrug: :)

[erikscollectables]

I don't pesonally have any opinion of Jensen as i do not own his Kris Disc as of yet. It may well be a very good reference. I do know that there is no way you can rely on any single source for accurate keris information and that "accurate" can change from island to island and era to era. Every book i have on the subject has at least some questionable material in it.
I wouldn't say that "the hypothesis would be it is Bima". That is, apparently, Jensen's hypothesis, but i have never read that from any other author i am familiar with.
Perhaps someone who has the Kris Disc can fill us in on what exactly has lead Jensen to his hypothesis. If he has no sources and no observational reasoning for his statement then it is more a guess than a hypothesis. :shrug: :)

This is what the disk states:
"About 1500 Cirebon had Muslim rulers. In the mid-sixteenth century Cirebon defeated troops of the Hindu Pajajaran kingdom. Banten was established as a vassal muslim state to Cirebon. Banten´s rulers continued the extension of its territory and captured Pajajaran`s capital Pakuan (Bogor) and its villages in 1579. Armies of the sultanate also crossed the Sunda Strait into South Sumatra to overtake the pepper-trade, which made Banten a very rich and influential state1. But the area around Banten and Cirebon remained for the major part Hindu or still influenced by the Hindu scheme of things.

Therefore many of the krisses from Banten, Cirebon and Tegal still had Hindu figures as hilts. They represent a range of Hindu gods, demons and heros fx Yaksha/ Raksasa (Fig25, 26), Dursasana (Fig 29), (stylized) Ganesha (Fig 30 a) and Bima (Fig 19).
The Yaksha/Raksasa hilt types of Banten2 with a slightly different elaboration seem to have spread all along the commercial towns of the Northern coast of Java. In Cirebon and Tegal, which in the 16th and 17th century was influenced by Banten, is found a Raksasa like hilt, which is a mixture of the Raksasa-hilt type 1 and 2 from Banten3. Perhaps an 18th century version of the original Banten types, but it may be as old the Banten types. The wear of many of the hilts and blades of this type points in that direction. But it cannot be manifested as no krisses of this types are found in the early European Kunstkammer Collections. According to J.W. van Dapperen 4 this type of hilt might originate fromTegal, where the figure is called Tji-Kakak (kakak=older brother - boisterous laughter). It is said to make the kris defend its owner very courageously. This is supported by the fact that the figure has much resemblance to Bima, who is the most boisterous, courageous, strongest and fiercest of the Pandawa-brothers5. It has the same coarse (Kasar) appearance and has his much feared characteristic long thumbnails (Panchanaka)"

And his sources:

1 Jean Gelman Taylor: Indonesia, Peoples and History, New Haven and London 2003, p 82. Berhard H.M
Vlekke: Nusantara. A History of Indonesia, Hague 1965, p 130. Karsten Sejr Jensen: Den Indonesiske
Kris,1998, p 149-50. Chapter 3 p 2
2 This type of hilts may date back to the 11th/12th century. See chapter 2 p 2 and p 41, chapter 3 p 3-5
3 Karsten Sejr Jensen: Den Indonesiske kris 1998, p 65 Fig 43 (type 1) and p 89 Fig 57 (type 2). See
chapter 3, Fig 17 a (type 1) and Fig 17 b (type 2).
4 J.W. van Dapperen: Krisheften. Nederlandsch Indie Oud en Nieuw 1931, p 105 and 109, fig 12 and 15:
J.W.van Dapperen mentions that the Majapahit-prince Brawijaya (15th century) should have worn a kris
with such a hilt, which indicates that it may be much older than the 18th century.
5 Cedric Le Dauphin (The Hilts of the Kriss. Caos 2002 nr 1, p 153) thinks it represents the Garuda bird. What point towards that interpretation of the hilt is the triangular shape under his nose, which may indicate it is a beak. But this triangular shape is not meant as the lower part of a beak, but indicates the point where the right and the left part of the curly moustache meet. However, Bima and Garuda have some similarities as they both have the long thumbnails (Panchanaka�� and they both are fighting the snakes. Sometimes
Bima is depicted with snakes coiling around his neck, which Gurada never has, as he fighting the snakes. (Fig 23). See Pandam Guritno: Lordly Shades, Jakarta 1989, p 96.

[erikscollectables]

And another quote from Jenssen's Krisdisk about a specific hilt and the source he mentiones:

"Hilt: Bima type in ivory sitting in a squatting Pralambapada positon on a Tumpal throne. The figure is a mixture of type 1 and 2 in the early European collections. Around his waist is a belt with meander pattern 6. Notice his
long thumbnails (Panchanaka)."

6 The meander pattern symbolizes clouds and thunder, which is connected with fertility. Bima became in the end of the Majapahit Period (15th century) a semi-divine being connected with fertility which is emphasized by the decoration of his belt. M. Thomsen: Java und Bali, Mainz am Rhein 1980, p 141. Ann R. Kinney:Worshipping Siva and Buddha, Honolulu 2003, p 273.

Regards, Erik

[David]

Thanks Erik. It's a little out of context without the photos to illustrate and i do not have a reference to what he means by type 1 and type 2 hilts. I am just going to have to get around to obtaining the disc myself. :)

[Marcokeris]

.....In chapter 3 and 4 Jenssen describes at least 6 subtypes.
the one with the garuda mungkur not I think, what is it?


Regards, Erik
Hallo Erik
On the back a Garuda mungkur
Marco

[Rick]

Marco,
I took the liberty of 'shopping' the pictures for more detailed observation .
Will take them down if you object . :)

[Marcokeris]

Marco,
I took the liberty of 'shopping' the pictures for more detailed observation .
Will take them down if you object . :)
Thanks Rick :)

[David]

Thanks Rick :)
ummm....that's Mr. Photoshop to us humans. ;) :D

[Rick]

Just a little gamma correction ... :o :D

[A. G. Maisey]

Mr. Jensen has reached certain conclusions in respect of a number of things to do with the keris, including the interpretation of some hilt figures. He has supported these conclusions with argument, and has quoted references indicating the depth of his study. Although I find that I cannot always agree with Mr. Jensen's conclusions, nor his arguments, I do not believe that it is constructive to engage in criticism of these conclusions. Rather, I feel that we should pay attention to Mr. Jensen's work, as well as broadening our own studies, and attempt to reach our own conclusions.

I do have a copy of Mr. Jensen's CD, but quite frankly, I find it much too difficult to read and to access information from. It is a great shame he was unable to produce this CD as a book.

The Javanese figural hilts that we have been accustomed to categorise as "raksasas" cover a range of seemingly different characters. These characters display minor differences, which could be indicative of the identity of the character, or of stylistic interpretation. However, there is one thing that I believe we can take as a certainty, and that is that the purpose of this type of figural hilt was protective. Bearing in mind the manifestation of the keris as linga, I believe that all of these Javanese figural hilts, irrespective of whether they bear overtly demonic indicators, or not , can be interpreted as dvarapalas.

A dvarapala is a Buddhist guardian figure, most often found as a guardian of temples. Instances occur in Javanese monumental works where a dvarapala has been represented as an identifiable character.

A dvarapala can be represented in a number of different positions, however, one position above all others is identified with the dvarapala. The image I have provided shows a hilt with a figure in this position.

Any study of archaic Javanese sculptural works will quickly reveal that some of the greatest names in the field of Javanese/Indonesian art have had difficulty in the identification of figural representations with specific identifiable characters.

With this in mind, I feel that it is unwise in the extreme to attempt to identify minor sculptural works, works which are often in the nature of folk art, with specific characters. Sometimes we can make a reasonably supportable identification, but at other times the attributes of the figures are mixed and muddled and any identification becomes not much more than a hopeful guess.

However, one thing we can rely upon is the protective nature of the figural keris hilt.

To some it may seem strange that we would find a dvarapala, a Buddhist guardian, associated with an artifact --- the keris --- that has its origin in Hindu Jawa. In Jawa during the East Javanese period there had occurred a synthesis of some aspects of Buddhist belief with Hindu beliefs,moreover, the dvarapala figure is widespread in Jawa, and can be found in a number of applications.

So, to return to the original question:- who is the specific character represented in the "raksasa" style keris hilt?

In my opinion it is only very rarely that a specific character may be able to be identified.
I hold this opinion because of the general insufficiency of evidence that will permit positive identification of any specific character.

Setting aside figural keris hilts from locations other than Jawa, I am of the opinion that the Javanese hilt style that has usually been referred to as the "raksasa" style could more correctly be referred to as the "dvarapala" style.

[Sajen]

Here is the brother from Marco's handle.
sajen

[Sajen]

And a second one with garuda mungkur.

[Sajen]

And here one with diadem.
sajen

[erikscollectables]

Thanks all for the photo's and Alan and also David for the valuable comments.
This is a good place to learn where I am otherwise limited to books without much discussion. Great stuff, Erik

[Rick]

Glad to have you here Erik .
One more voice, one more perspective . :)

Forgot !
Think I have a bearded example .. :)

[Sajen]

Thanks all for the photo's and Alan and also David for the valuable comments.
This is a good place to learn where I am otherwise limited to books without much discussion. Great stuff, Erik


I consort with you Eric, this is a great place with great members, thank's to all!
sajen

[David]

Hey Rick, i've got that same guy on two of my hilts. All of the elements are pretty much exactly the same so this is definitely a pattern from one particular area.

[erikscollectables]

The Javanese figural hilts that we have been accustomed to categorise as "raksasas" cover a range of seemingly different characters. These characters display minor differences, which could be indicative of the identity of the character, or of stylistic interpretation. However, there is one thing that I believe we can take as a certainty, and that is that the purpose of this type of figural hilt was protective. Bearing in mind the manifestation of the keris as linga, I believe that all of these Javanese figural hilts, irrespective of whether they bear overtly demonic indicators, or not , can be interpreted as dvarapalas.

A dvarapala is a Buddhist guardian figure, most often found as a guardian of temples. Instances occur in Javanese monumental works where a dvarapala has been represented as an identifiable character.

A dvarapala can be represented in a number of different positions, however, one position above all others is identified with the dvarapala. The image I have provided shows a hilt with a figure in this position.

Any study of archaic Javanese sculptural works will quickly reveal that some of the greatest names in the field of Javanese/Indonesian art have had difficulty in the identification of figural representations with specific identifiable characters.

With this in mind, I feel that it is unwise in the extreme to attempt to identify minor sculptural works, works which are often in the nature of folk art, with specific characters. Sometimes we can make a reasonably supportable identification, but at other times the attributes of the figures are mixed and muddled and any identification becomes not much more than a hopeful guess.

However, one thing we can rely upon is the protective nature of the figural keris hilt.

To some it may seem strange that we would find a dvarapala, a Buddhist guardian, associated with an artifact --- the keris --- that has its origin in Hindu Jawa. In Jawa during the East Javanese period there had occurred a synthesis of some aspects of Buddhist belief with Hindu beliefs,moreover, the dvarapala figure is widespread in Jawa, and can be found in a number of applications.

So, to return to the original question:- who is the specific character represented in the "raksasa" style keris hilt?

In my opinion it is only very rarely that a specific character may be able to be identified.
I hold this opinion because of the general insufficiency of evidence that will permit positive identification of any specific character.

Setting aside figural keris hilts from locations other than Jawa, I am of the opinion that the Javanese hilt style that has usually been referred to as the "raksasa" style could more correctly be referred to as the "dvarapala" style.

On the Krisdisk Jensen makes a similair note related to a figural hilt but in that case a specimen with a snake as necklace that suckles the thumb.

Here is his comment:

Notice the snake sucking his thumb and coiling around his neck. It indicates his Sivaistic origin. He may be a Dvarapala- a guardian of a temple

His source: Jan Fontein: The Sculpture of Indonesia, Washington 1990, p 130.

The book on disc is not easy to access but does have the advantage you can zoom in on pictures!

Erik

[Marcokeris]

Here is the brother from Marco's handle.
sajen
Another brother...

[Marcokeris]

Glad to have you here Erik .
One more voice, one more perspective . :)

Forgot !
Think I have a bearded example .. :)
...another bearded brother

[A. G. Maisey]

Here's a few more.

Sorry for the quality of these pics, but its all I've got time to do right now.

[erikscollectables]

How old are these figural hilts?
The four I started this thread with all seem to be very old.
Most of the ones I have seen so far seem quite old and often quite worn.
The 4 I have I think (without any supporting proof) are 19th century or older.
Is there any dating possible on any of these?
Jensen works with data from old collections so he has sustainable proof.
With our items it is more difficult but are there hints to date the hilts approximately?

Regards, Erik

[A. G. Maisey]

I cannot date any of my older ones, Erik.

There are a few current era ones mixed in with the ones I've provided pics of, and I can recognise these, but generally its just guesswork with older ones. If the carving is smooth and worn it is certain to have a bit of age, but how much? Your guess is as good as mine. Regretably old hilts in Indonesia often are scrubbed clean and sometimes refinished with french polish or lacquer, so you very often do not have any patina to base a guess on.

I do not believe that reference to old hilts in European collections is a valid way to estimate the age of most hilts, for the simple reason that patterns and styles repeat over many years:- you can see the same patterns produced now as were produced +200 years ago.

The ivory and bone hilts are easier with the patina, because these don't get scrubbed or repolished, but even so, you're just guessing.

But they get up to another little trick with ivory and bone that can make a hilt look much, much younger than it really is:- they go to work on old worn hilts with a dentists drill and deepen and freshen up the carving, then re-patinate. Somewhat different standards in Indonesia in respect of these things.

Because of historical sources we can be pretty certain that the patterns go back to at least the 15th century, and very probably prior to that, but dating an individual hilt with any supportable accuracy is beyond me.

[ganjawulung]

Dear All,

Again, this was just an intermezzo. Just call it a weekender keris sight-seeing. Just want to share with you, pictures of what many of you call such hilts as -- raksasa hilts. Or, "buta bajang" hilts, whatever. Really I don't have the "pakem" book yet on such hilts.

I would like to thank you too, if you wish to share too, your pictures on such hilts. I believe, there are still more such hilts all around here...

GANJAWULUNG

[ganjawulung]

Here are close ups on one of them...

GANJAWULUNG

[ganjawulung]

Some of them are not like "buta" or "raksasa", but like figures of Javanese wayang...

GANJAWULUNG

[A. G. Maisey]

Nice handles Pak G.

You're right, it is a pity we do not have any guide book relating to this form of hilt.

I've posted some rough pics of a few of mine, but really, I don't know if they strictly fit the parameters or not --- but I'm certain that they fit the "whatever" classification.

[ganjawulung]

Thanks a lot, Alan for sharing your fantastic "butas"... Is there any thing to tell on some of their 'gesture'. Any 'speculation' idea on the "mudra", the special gesture of their hands and fingers maybe?

GANJAWULUNG

[VVV]

My favourite kind of keris hilt!
In the late Karsten Sejr-Jensen´s book and CD there is an analysis of the mudra signs etc.

Here are some of mine.

Michael

[A. G. Maisey]

Sorry Pak Ganja, this is an area that I know virtually nothing about.

Supposedly many of these figures are found in the pralambapada mudra, but my knowledge is insufficient for me to confirm this, or to speculate upon the reason, if indeed they are.

It has been suggested to me by a Chinese academic who teaches in this area of knowledge that perhaps these mudras are not so accurately portrayed and that to truly interpret them might be more than a little difficult.

These hilts are probably very fertile ground for some serious research.

[harimauhk]

Nice hilts. I too don't know much about them, but having grown up around Hinduism (I'm Indian and Nepalese), I find Indonesian representations of figures from Hindu mythology fascinating. Just out of curiosity, does 'buta' mean ghost?

[ganjawulung]

Nice hilts. I too don't know much about them, but having grown up around Hinduism (I'm Indian and Nepalese), I find Indonesian representations of figures from Hindu mythology fascinating. Just out of curiosity, does 'buta' mean ghost?
Not 'ghost', but 'giant'. In some (javanese) wayang stories, giants were not always gigantic in size. Only the form (appearance) is 'giant' like, but the size of the creature is told as -- sometimes even smaller than human being. "Buta Bajang" means "Dwarf giant"... Literally "buta" (javanese) means "giant". Unfortunately, in Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian language) "buta" means "blind"..

GANJAWULUNG

[harimauhk]

Ma kasih ganja, in Hindi, "bhut" means ghost, which is why I was curious.

[David]

Great thread, though i would like to point out that we had a very similar thread on these figurative hilts this past spring. It might not be a bad idea to merge the 2 threads just to have all this info in one place, but for now i will just provide a link. :)
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10128&highlight=raksasa

[erikscollectables]

Yes my most favorite type as well.

The discussion last time (as mentioned by David) with good input from Alan was very interesting.
Also the krisdisk mentioned by Michael and of course the text by Martin Kerner on this theme is quite interesting (for those that read german..)

Erik

[Battara]

I would like to thank you too, if you wish to share too, your pictures on such hilts. I believe, there are still more such hilts all around here...
Well this is the only rakshasha hilt I have - ivory, gold, and Balinese:

[A. G. Maisey]

Good idea David.

I'd forgotten that we'd been down this road before, if I'd remembered I would not have started walking along it again.

[ganjawulung]

My favourite kind of keris hilt!
In the late Karsten Sejr-Jensen´s book and CD there is an analysis of the mudra signs etc.

Here are some of mine.

Michael
Thanks, Michael, for showing "your avatar" in complete view.. Thanks a lot too, to Erik and David. These are more pictorial post of such hilts...

GANJAWULUNG

[ganjawulung]

And more poses of this old model...

GANJAWULUNG

[erikscollectables]

Really great examples Ganjawulung!
Thanks for sharing!

I am always searching for these but really good ones are harder and harder to find...(at least here in Holland)

Erik

[David]

And more poses of this old model...
Nicely carved fellow, but he doesn't look particularly old... :shrug:

[ganjawulung]

Nicely carved fellow, but he doesn't look particularly old... :shrug:
Old ones, David. But unfortunately, it was my fault to clean it too clean. It happened long time ago. So it (they) had lost the patina. Originaly they were so dirty and heavy patinated. I cleaned it with tooth-brush and detergent. And after it became so pale, then I put coconot oil.... But I will never do such silly thing again. Really, it is not new ones...

GANJAWULUNG

[ganjawulung]

Really great examples Ganjawulung!
Thanks for sharing!

I am always searching for these but really good ones are harder and harder to find...(at least here in Holland)

Erik
Difficult too to find in Jawa. All are gone somewhere in the world... I have couple in the past, but that was my fault. I cleaned the patinated hilts with tooth brush and soap. Never do like this, Erik...

GANJAWULUNG

[Royston]

These are my ones

Roy

[Sajen]

Old ones, David. But unfortunately, it was my fault to clean it too clean. It happened long time ago. So it (they) had lost the patina. Originaly they were so dirty and heavy patinated. I cleaned it with tooth-brush and detergent. And after it became so pale, then I put coconot oil.... But I will never do such silly thing again. Really, it is not new ones...

GANJAWULUNG

I don't know if this is have been a mistake, the fine carvings sometimes not to see when the handle have to much patination. Some of my handles I have cleaned also.

sajen

[Sajen]

Some of my wooden handles I have shown in the other threat before.
Here three handles in ivory. Please apologize the bad quality of the photos, it have been a fast snapshot.

sajen

[A. G. Maisey]

Yeah, soap and water sounds a bit drastic.

I use a tooth brush and baby oil to clean really dirty hilts, and really, any other sort of carvings too.

The oil tends to soak into the gunk and soften it, and after you've revisited the carving a few times you'll normally have all the muck removed.

[ganjawulung]

I use a tooth brush and baby oil to clean really dirty hilts, and really, any other sort of carvings too.

The oil tends to soak into the gunk and soften it, and after you've revisited the carving a few times you'll normally have all the muck removed.
Yes Alan, now I clean with very very soft tooth-brush only, and then soft clothes...

GANJAWULUNG

[ganjawulung]

Dear Roy and Sajen,

Thanks for the sharing. And here are more on variations of the 'giant' creatures. A hilt of horn below. More looks like wayang figures...

GANJAWULUNG

[ganjawulung]

And this is probably the wayang hilt. Hopefully, to be older than Cirebon era. Or Pajajaran?

GANJAWULUNG

[Sajen]

And this is probably the wayang hilt. Hopefully, to be older than Cirebon era. Or Pajajaran?

GANJAWULUNG

This hilt is similar to two I have shown in the other threat before. But I don't know how old this hilts. Here again the pictures.

sajen

[ganjawulung]

Beautiful Wayang hilt, Sajen. I think it is the best I've seen until today...
These are more pictures on other variant of "Buta hilt"...

GANJAWULUNG

[Sajen]

Beautiful Wayang hilt, Sajen. I think it is the best I've seen until today...
These are more pictures on other variant of "Buta hilt"...

GANJAWULUNG


Thank you very much! But which one you mean? I show two different hilts. By one the Garuda munkur is pirced and by the other one not.

sajen

[ganjawulung]

Dear Sajen,
The one with Garuda Mungkur, of course. Not the craftmanship, but the originality. To see original old motifs, for me is more important than just seeing good craftmanship..

GANJAWULUNG

[David]

Dear Sajen,
The one with Garuda Mungkur, of course. Not the craftmanship, but the originality. To see original old motifs, for me is more important than just seeing good craftmanship..
Ganja, ion post #28 Sajen posted 2 different hilts. I believe that they both have a Garuda Mungkur.
:)

[David]

Well i finally had some time to photograph my few examples. Meet the twins. These two guys are so alike i think the same carver may have done them. One is and old Mojo keris in a gayaman sheath. The other an old kebo lajer in a ladrang sheath. :)

[David]

This old-timer is well worn with a nice patina and beautiful flashing grain that flashes red at some points and some really nicely carved cut-through spots..

[David]

This one is not so old, but has some real nice carving. I am not fully convinced that these floral figurative hilts are really of the same species as these other buta hilts. They seem to have a very different posture. But they are most often counted in with their crouching brothers so here is my example. :)

[David]

Finally here's one i recently acquired which doesn't really belong here as it depicts a wayang character, not a rakassa/buta, but i'm going to throw it in just because i like it. :rolleyes: :D
Also i can't help but feel that these older buta forms were somewhat influenced by wayang forms. Some of the older raksasa shown in this thread definitely seem to have some wayang characteristics. :shrug: :)

[erikscollectables]

This is probably my favorite figural hilt.
Might have been cleaned as well but not by me....
Very old - but still very good condition and relatively very large

[Sajen]

This is probably my favorite figural hilt.
Might have been cleaned as well but not by me....
Very old - but still very good condition and relatively very large

Hi Erik,

very nice hilt and you can see clearly it's age. A real patina you can't "clean" away.

Here is my favorite hilt of this type, also very old and from small size.

sajen

[erikscollectables]

It is difficult not to get a bit jealous with all these great hilts in other collections than mine...Again great example!
And as I am testing my new camera anyway another favorite!


Hi Erik,

very nice hilt and you can see clearly it's age. A real patina you can't "clean" away.

Here is my favorite hilt of this type, also very old and from small size.

sajen

[Sajen]

It is difficult not to get a bit jealous with all these great hilts in other collections than mine...Again great example!
And as I am testing my new camera anyway another favorite!

Hello Erik,

test have been effective! And now I am a little bit jealous, this type in ivory I only have in very small size and not so nice like yours.

sajen

[ganjawulung]

Hmmm, Erik and Sajen,

Jealous with you too. My 'dealer' friend from Yogya said, he had sent such a lot of hilts like this to Europe these recent months. Are you the one to send? (Just kidding..., please)

And these are more pictures of another variant of such 'raksasa', 'buta' or 'wayang hilt' whatever you call them...

GANJAWULUNG

[Sajen]

Hmmm, Erik and Sajen,

Jealous with you too. My 'dealer' friend from Yogya said, he had sent such a lot of hilts like this to Europe these recent months. Are you the one to send? (Just kidding..., please)

And these are more pictures of another variant of such 'raksasa', 'buta' or 'wayang hilt' whatever you call them...

GANJAWULUNG

Dear Pak Ganjawulung,

you don't need to be jealous, it seems that you have a never ending collection of this hilt form!

sajen

[ganjawulung]

Well i finally had some time to photograph my few examples. Meet the twins. These two guys are so alike i think the same carver may have done them. One is and old Mojo keris in a gayaman sheath. The other an old kebo lajer in a ladrang sheath. :)
Very fine twins. Where did you get these two butas from, David?

[David]

It is difficult not to get a bit jealous with all these great hilts in other collections than mine...Again great example!
C'mon Erik, you talk about jealousy and then saw us this ivory beauty. Jealousy is mine my friend! :D

[David]

Very fine twins. Where did you get these two butas from, David?
A certain Australian source. :)

[Sajen]

Here is my small ivory handle of this type, very old but far away from the quality Erik show us.

sajen

[Jussi M.]

Up!

[Jussi M.]

Classic?

Thanks,

J.

[Jean]

Some very old hilts from Northern Java. It seems to me that some of the specimens shown originate from East Java/ Madura and Bali.
Best regards
Jean

[David]

I was doing some research on these hilts and realized that i was going to merge these two threads over 15 years ago and then never did. No time like the present, eh? LOL! :D