Malay handle

[kai]

Hello Paul,

Is this a Malay hulu called Takala <snip>
Body is strongly twisted.

IMHO classic pipit teleng style.

<snip> and the flaming wood is Ketenga?
This typical wood is an indication for the origin?

It could well be Ketenga - looks like it (difficult if not impossible to determine from pics; most likely it will be regarded as Ketenga by Malay connoisseurs from its appearance, anyway).

This timber (especially including the lighter peripheral layers not part of the core) was commonly utilised in the northern Malay regions.

This hilt was most likely carved in Terengganu (or possibly Kelantan); both areas belong to the northern Malay cultures.

Regards,
Kai