Bali hilt

Bjorn · 19th May 2013, 04:54 PM

Incredible detail. Truly deserves to be called a work of art!

Do you know whom is portrayed?

David · 19th May 2013, 07:38 PM

Wow...

Battara · 19th May 2013, 11:39 PM

Well I do know it is a demon for sure. What I am not sure is which one. I am wondering if it is Ravana, king of the demons from the Ramayana.

Is he holding a weapon of some kind?

A. G. Maisey · 20th May 2013, 02:43 AM

Wisnu in his incarnation as Kresna had a conch shell as a weapon --- Si Sangka Panacajaniya --- he had taken this conch shell from a demon, maybe this is supposed to be this demon, but I don't know his name.

It is worth noting that in Balinese representations of Hindu characters --- gods, demons etc --- the carver very often gives his own interpretation and sometimes gets things a bit mixed up. Particularly so in relatively modern carvings.

Battara · 20th May 2013, 04:33 AM

Alan,

What age would you give this piece?

A. G. Maisey · 20th May 2013, 06:39 AM

Too big a guess mate. Can't do it.

Ivory? De-natured antler? Bone?

How carved?

Can't tell these things from the pic.

Yes, its neat work, but I have Bali hilts done within the last five years that are as good, or maybe better.

However, after saying all that, I reckon its probably post 1930's. I say that only because I haven't seen a hell of a lot of really fine carving in hilts that pre-dates the upsurge in Balinese art that took place after European artists began to influence style and execution.

rasjid · 20th May 2013, 05:21 PM

The best Bali carver that I know of is IB Pastika, Bali.
He is fully booked and due to his age there will a long queue if we can get one ( took years)

If I comparing with this quality carving from the picture, I still think this is picture (post#1) still better from what I have seen from him. May be because I only seen less than 5 of his work.

I still love Pastika work though. ...

Rasjid

19th May 2013, 04:54 PM	#1
Bjorn Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 188	Incredible detail. Truly deserves to be called a work of art! Do you know whom is portrayed?

19th May 2013, 07:38 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Wow...

19th May 2013, 11:39 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Well I do know it is a demon for sure. What I am not sure is which one. I am wondering if it is Ravana, king of the demons from the Ramayana. Is he holding a weapon of some kind?

20th May 2013, 02:43 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	Wisnu in his incarnation as Kresna had a conch shell as a weapon --- Si Sangka Panacajaniya --- he had taken this conch shell from a demon, maybe this is supposed to be this demon, but I don't know his name. It is worth noting that in Balinese representations of Hindu characters --- gods, demons etc --- the carver very often gives his own interpretation and sometimes gets things a bit mixed up. Particularly so in relatively modern carvings.

20th May 2013, 04:33 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Alan, What age would you give this piece?

20th May 2013, 06:39 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	Too big a guess mate. Can't do it. Ivory? De-natured antler? Bone? How carved? Can't tell these things from the pic. Yes, its neat work, but I have Bali hilts done within the last five years that are as good, or maybe better. However, after saying all that, I reckon its probably post 1930's. I say that only because I haven't seen a hell of a lot of really fine carving in hilts that pre-dates the upsurge in Balinese art that took place after European artists began to influence style and execution.

20th May 2013, 05:21 PM	#7
rasjid Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Jakarta - Indonesia Posts: 114	The best Bali carver that I know of is IB Pastika, Bali. He is fully booked and due to his age there will a long queue if we can get one ( took years) If I comparing with this quality carving from the picture, I still think this is picture (post#1) still better from what I have seen from him. May be because I only seen less than 5 of his work. I still love Pastika work though. ... Rasjid