Bali Hilt

David · 21st January 2008, 12:54 AM

I just won this on ePray. Not exactly sure why i was attracted to this little guy other than the price seemed right. It is not a masterful carving by any means, but i do like the details and the patina. Doesn't seem too old, but certainly has some age.
I do wonder if anyone has any ideas who this character is though. From the front he looks pretty human, but something about the side view give me the impression of a lion-headed being. Any thoughts?

Marcokeris · 21st January 2008, 11:21 AM

The hilt could be Navasari (from the flower in the back)

David · 26th January 2008, 10:49 PM

The hilt arrived and here are a few more pictures. I still don't get the feeling that this is Navasari. I have seen this posture with the sheaf over the back with other characters as well. There is definitely something very lion-like about the face.

Of course it could just be another unidentifiable variations that we see from time to time.

A. G. Maisey · 26th January 2008, 11:20 PM

David, over the years I've known more than a few carvers in Jawa and Bali, and what I have noted is that unless a specific known, traditional form of something is deliberately aimed at, the carver will look at the material with a vague outline in his mind, and allow the material to dictate the finished form as he works.

This is a contemporary hilt, I have no doubt that the carver just wanted to produce the most saleable form he could from the material he had available.

21st January 2008, 12:54 AM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,213	Bali Hilt I just won this on ePray. Not exactly sure why i was attracted to this little guy other than the price seemed right. It is not a masterful carving by any means, but i do like the details and the patina. Doesn't seem too old, but certainly has some age. I do wonder if anyone has any ideas who this character is though. From the front he looks pretty human, but something about the side view give me the impression of a lion-headed being. Any thoughts? Attached Images

26th January 2008, 10:49 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,213	The hilt arrived and here are a few more pictures. I still don't get the feeling that this is Navasari. I have seen this posture with the sheaf over the back with other characters as well. There is definitely something very lion-like about the face. Of course it could just be another unidentifiable variations that we see from time to time. Attached Images

21st January 2008, 11:21 AM	#2
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	The hilt could be Navasari (from the flower in the back)

26th January 2008, 11:20 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,994	David, over the years I've known more than a few carvers in Jawa and Bali, and what I have noted is that unless a specific known, traditional form of something is deliberately aimed at, the carver will look at the material with a vague outline in his mind, and allow the material to dictate the finished form as he works. This is a contemporary hilt, I have no doubt that the carver just wanted to produce the most saleable form he could from the material he had available.