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20th January 2013, 05:34 AM | #1 |
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Cirebon buta bajang damaged ...
I am curious to get your opinion on a hilt I have which is badly damaged .
This looks like a voluntary " mutilation " made by a previous owner but is there any reason to do so ? May be a relation to religious meanings ? But who can wear a so ugly hilt ? |
20th January 2013, 07:22 AM | #2 |
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Probably natural cracking Henri.
Often happens when a pesi rusts and expands, but can also be caused by the wood cracking over time. If it was carved from improperly seasoned wood those cracks could have been there for a very long time. |
20th January 2013, 08:19 AM | #3 |
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Thank you Alan for the reply . I was more talking about the fact the face and some parts of the buta bajang were removed probably with a sharp tool ...
This handle is probably old with natural cracking due to the age . |
20th January 2013, 12:33 PM | #4 |
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Oh yes.
No explaining insanity Henri. I haven't seen something like this previously, and cannot offer any explanation. |
20th January 2013, 12:44 PM | #5 |
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Hello Henri,
I think that there are two possibilities for this. For the first one read this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10454. But I doubt that this is by your hilt the case. When I look to your pictures I think to see the traces of mouse or rat bites. This I have seen many times by indonesian wooden items. Indonesians eat with their hands/fingers and when they have touched after meal for example this keris hilt the taste and smell is still present at the handle and a hungry mouse/rat will try to eat it. I think this is the case by your keris hilt. Have a look here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=mouse Regards, Detlef Last edited by Sajen; 20th January 2013 at 01:00 PM. Reason: Providing links |
20th January 2013, 02:50 PM | #6 |
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I would vote for your explanation, Detlef .
Certainly does look like rodent gnaw . |
20th January 2013, 07:55 PM | #7 |
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Thank you Detlef . Looks like you are right ! Most of the "bites" are uncontrolled . Probably some parts of this hilt were more or less spicy
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21st January 2013, 09:55 AM | #8 |
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I have heard, as an 'explanation' for a piece missing from the nose of a hilt, that it was taken off for use as, or in, a medicine. This may be a way of explaining away damage, or may have some truth in it, especially if a piece is actually cut off, rather than broken? However, if a piece is used for medicinal purposes, why take it from the most obvious, highly visible part of the hilt? Medicinal use of a piece taken off the base of a hilt was mentoned by 'sipakatuo', 18 July 2009, in the thread 'Question about Bugis hilts'.
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21st January 2013, 04:00 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
Regards, Detlef |
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21st January 2013, 07:56 PM | #10 |
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Damn, that's a nice catch Detlef! The damage to the left side of the face and arm sure looks like a rodent went to town on this one.
Very cool and nicely spotted! Cheers, - Thor |
21st January 2013, 08:26 PM | #11 | |
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Quote:
Hi Thor, the handle belong to Henri. Regards, Detlef |
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22nd January 2013, 12:57 AM | #12 |
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I am not really proud of this one Thor and probably will go with other " ghost
handles " into a dusty drawer ! But ... what a lot I learned! Thank you all for your comments . Last edited by henri; 22nd January 2013 at 08:45 AM. |
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