Appreciation of Palembang hilt

[Newsteel]

Has been a while not logging in here due to work restriction.
I thought I can share this lovely ivory Palembang hilt. Still looking crisp but yet have some age patina to it. Probably not very old. I was actually impressed by the deep, small and detail carvings. Was told that the art of carving like this is as good as 'dead' there. Interestingly, I also noticed that the buah pinang is actually carved from a separate ivory and joined together in such delicate manner that both fits very well and tight. Very smart and beautifully executed since the carver has restriction of ivory material (maybe?).

[David]

Lovely! :)

[ferrylaki]

very lovely

[Jussi M.]

Very beautiful.

I wonder how much it takes time to make something like this? :eek:

Thanks,

J.

[Marcokeris]

Good work!

[asomotif]

I wonder how much it takes time to make something like this?

Very nice hilt.
I heard that in Indonesia carvers are using dental drills.
This one is very finely carved.
I assume that this is real manual work.

But can someone confirm this ?

Best regards,
Willem

[David]

Willem, i'm not sure how one would ever know for sure unless they knew the carver. Personally i think tools are just that. I don't think it lessens the artistry of the work if modern tools are involved as long as the artist knows how to properly use them.

[BluErf]

I agree with David! :)

It's the skills! though good tools would help artists achieve greater heights. :)

[Newsteel]

A friend ever brought a similar ivory piece to a late mastercarver in Kelantan (northern Malaysia) and hope to seek some pointers how a mranggi would achieved something like this. The explaination he got was pretty simple - he (the mranggi or carver) is very skillful and definite got his special knife or tools in order to carve like that.

[asomotif]

definite got his special knife or tools in order to carve like that.

What I am looking for is some differences between carving the old way and 'carving' with dental / drills.

This specific hilt has some very fine lines and curls that end 'pointed'.
I assume that with only a dental drill this would not be possible... ?

[lemmythesmith]

Hi all, I'm carving a Bali togogan in ivory at the moment and I use a dremel with dental type burrs to get the outline and then refine any cuts (if they need a pointed end to them) with small knives and awls. Newsteel-that hilt is fantastic! :D

[asomotif]

I'm carving a Bali togogan in ivory

Dear Lemmy (?),

Interesting. could you post some pictures of your carving.
I think it would be intersting to see what a dermel can do and what traditional tools than can add to that.

Best regards,
Willem

[David]

What I am looking for is some differences between carving the old way and 'carving' with dental / drills.

This specific hilt has some very fine lines and curls that end 'pointed'.
I assume that with only a dental drill this would not be possible... ?
Willem, i don't imagine that any good modern craftsman would only use a dremel when doing this type of work. I am fairly sure that some hand tools would also come into play. :shrug:

[lemmythesmith]

Hi Willem, here's some snaps of how he looks roughed out with an angle grinder, dremel with milling cutters/burrs and then with a little work with knives. I still have some to do with the dremel yet-I've been trying to get his hands right using fine blades to make his fingers/pancanaka thumb. :D He's 125mm overall including selut.

[Rick]

Lemmy, you blow my mind . :cool:
WoW !

[asomotif]

Lemmy,

Impressive already even in this unfinished state.
Would love to see the further prorgess in due time.

The selut is silver ?

Best regards,
Willem

[lemmythesmith]

Thanks guys!! :D Yes, the selut is silver-the stones will be star rubies. Still a lot of work to do on this keris! :D

[Rick]

Lemmy, it would be interesting if you started a thread on this project and kept us updated . :)

[David]

Yes, please! :)

[asomotif]

started a thread on this project

Yes please :)

[BluErf]

Lemmy, is that your hamster on your avatar!? Is it real? :)

[lemmythesmith]

Hi Bluerf, that's a photo I was emailed-originally titled "I do think it will fit" it's not been photoshopped, a hamster I had could "pouch" a full pecan nut with shell. He looked pretty much like the one in the avatar!! :D