Miniature Bali Belakas Pengentas??

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

I did see the measurement Detlef, but they did not register, because I tend to think in imperial, not metric. However, I have now looked at a ruler, and I realise they are quite small, but not too small to cut corpse binding ropes.

Alan, we Europeans think metric but when Athanase ask his question I take a ruler by hand and was very surprised how small they are. But agree, even with small implements like this you can cut corpse binding ropes.

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

I suppose they could be souvenir-type imitations, but over a 50 year period I've spent a lot of time in Bali, and I've never seen this sort of thing in the tourist traps. This doesn't mean it has never been there, just that I've never seen it.

Also I am have never seen souvenir Belakas Pengentas. They could has been there but I doubt.

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

In any case, what we are looking at here is certainly not a household tool, it is some sort of cutting implement meant for use in some sort of ceremonial context.

Corpse ropes? Maybe.

Offering preparation? Maybe.

Internal use in a pura? Maybe.

But it surely is not intended for peeling mangos or pineapples.

Agree complete with you!

Regards,
Detlef