Bali Wadon(?) Hilt

David · 16th February 2015, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean

To me this hilt seems to depict the veiled Durga or Calon Arang/ Rangda.

Thanks for your response Jean. I am sorry to press you here, but why, exactly does it seem valid to you as a depiction of the veiled Durga or Calon Arang/ Rangda. When i search for images of Durga from the Bali/Jawa area i mostly find multi-armed statues often with Durga standing on a buffalo to depict her victory over the buffalo demon Mahisha. Sometimes she is astride a lion (sometimes a tiger). I cannot find any known depiction of this goddess veiled though or any stories that would give reason for a veiling of her face.
Calon Arang and Rangda are often associated with Durga, but most certainly not the same being. These witch demons also have very standard depictions in Bali and Jawa culture, fierce demon woman with wild hair, bulging eyes, fangs and long nails (claws) on all their fingers (note in my example that only the pinky nails are long) . They are often seen as hefty females forms, often topless. But i have never seen them veiled either. Hiding their frightening appearance under a veil would also seem counter to their purpose in the lore. There is no mystery about their appearance, they are meant to strike fear in the hearts of those who view them.
But these "wadon" hilts show none of that. They are a veiled mystery with a stilled silence about them. They have none of the usual motifs or accompanying figures that are known to be related to Durga, Calon Arang or Rangda. So i have a real difficulty accepting the designation simply because it has been called that in a passing reference in a book. It just doesn't seem to jive to me.

I do not own the Balinese reference books you mention so i am afraid i cannot follow your page citations."Meseh Rupa" is a at least a dead end on the internet. Maybe someone has more on this. I would also be curious to find out approximately when this hilt form first made it's appearance. You say the ones in Keris di Lombak look fairly recent. Mine has some age, but i don't believe it is too old. Does anyone have any obviously old examples to this form to show?

Loedjoe · 17th February 2015, 08:17 AM

I have nothing to offer on the name, I'm afraid, but it seems likely that this type is of some age.There are at least three early examples of this type: in Jensen (Karsten Sejr), Den Indonesiske kris, et symbolladet våben (1998), p. 87, on a keris acquired before 1676 (a better photograph of this one is in his Krisdisk. Krisses from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines (compact disk published by the author, 2007), ch. 6, pp. 26) and p. 91, on a keris acquired before 1618. The Krisdisk also has another, assigned to the 16th/17th century, ch. 6, p. 27.

Jean · 17th February 2015, 08:35 AM

The common balinese name of this hilt is Balu Mekabun (the veiled widow?), and according to the detailed reference book from EAN Van Veeendaal "Krisgrepen en scheden uit Bali en Lombok" page 22, it depicts Durga/ Rangda. I have no more information to add but all the authors agree on this interpretation in absence of any other one.
The specimens shown in the books from the late Jensen or Kerner are older Javanese versions of this hilt IMO.
Regards

Gustav · 17th February 2015, 12:17 PM

I am not able to answer on Davids questions or post pictures of some older specimens, yet have some observations.

I have seen some older hilts of this type, and they fill a wide range between quite realistic depictions, like the Keris from Vienna, symplified planar forms, and hilts, where this figure pass into floral ornaments.

In the KITLV publication of Gronemans "The Javanese Kris" there is something like a Pakem from 1840, written in Surakarta. It starts on page 117 and has some hilts of this type. Quite realistic, with discernible palms, are hilts on pages 117, 123 (which otherwise is covered with floral motifs). Another, more abstract specimens are depicted on pages 119, 130, 131, 135. These hilts sometimes are already like "open borders" to planar or West-Javanese/Madurese floral hilts. An early specimen of this kind is depicted in Krisdisk, Ch. 6, p. 7. Another one - in Solyoms book, p.32.

It seems these "Wadon" hilts could have been an issue in emergence of modern planar hilt forms (with Patra). Patra occur at the places, where breasts and toes are depicted on "Wadon" hilts.There are also some older planar hilts with grooves, which are connecting both Patra.

An interesting point is orientation of the hilt. The old (and also the newer ones from Bali) figural hilts are always mounted with face to the width of the blade. The old "Wadon" hilts, which also are "figural" are always mounted with face to the Gandhik, like all planar hilts.

Yes, and a beautiful specimen from an old thread, on a 17th century Javanese blade:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=veiled+durga

Gustav · 17th February 2015, 12:53 PM

Now I have read the whole thread http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=veiled+durga, with the excellent posts of Marto Suwignyo, and must say, my post as such was completely superfluous.

A good lecture.

David · 17th February 2015, 06:35 PM

Thanks for reviving that thread Gustav. I had forgotten about it and for some reason did not see it when i was reviewing the archives on the subject. As you might image, my thinking seems most in line with Marto Suwignyo on that thread who sums up with the following:
The argument for a Durga attribution that you have precised seems to indicate that Phillipovich is using a similar style of logic to that which others have applied in naming this form "Durga". For instance, I have in front of me eight handles with a female form.Three are variations of the wadon form which we have been discussing, one is an abstract but unmistakeably female form,another is an even more abstract form, one is Rangda, one a more or less normal female, the last is a nightmare with female characteristics.Of all these figures, only Rangda is easily identifiable. The others could be anything, and an argument could be constructed to support almost any attribution. In fact, I could probably construct a more convincing argument that any one of these figures is in fact Little Red Riding Hood, than any argument I have yet heard to support the Durga attribution for our original handle form.

Wolviex, you ask:-

"So my question is, is there any other goddess/deity covering herself?"

I`m not at all certain that this is the right question, Wolviex.
Do we yet have a proof that the figure depicted is in fact covering herself? I think not.
Do we yet have a proof that the oft mentioned veil is in fact a veil? I think not.
Do we yet have a proof that the depictation is indeed a deity? I think not.
Do we yet have a proof that we are in fact looking at Durga? I think not.

Now in my example posted here it does seem most likely that the figure is in fact covering herself. If not then i don't know quite what else is supposed to be depicted here.
Whether this is intended to be a veil or not might still be in question though. In this example the covering seems almost like a helmet.
I cannot say that there is proof of divinity here, but it seems likely. The hands are seen a mudra position which is often the case in statues depicting Hindu deities.
As for the Durga question, i still see nothing that specifically ties this figure to her though any of the symbolic gestures or poses of the figure, nor to Rangda/Calon Arang for that matter. I am afraid that i cannot accept such an identification based solely on the fact that "all the authors agree on this interpretation in absence of any other one", especially when as far as i can tell, these authors have presented no logical argument for such an identification.

Perhaps this will remain a mystery, but that mystery is just too enticing not to at least continue the search. Perhaps there is some clue in the Balinese name "Balu Mekabun", especially the widow part???

A. G. Maisey · 18th February 2015, 02:54 AM

I can add nothing of any value to what has already been offered.

Currently I'm in Solo, but before getting here yesterday I was in Bali for a few days. When this question was once again raised by David, I asked a couple of keris conscious friends to have a look at the hilt form posted and give an opinion. One of these friends is a man of 69 years who has collected and dealt keris for most of his adult life.

Neither of my friends had any definitive answer. All the most knowledgeable friend was willing to say was that :-
"it is clearly a woman",
so OK, what woman? deity ? someone from myth or legend? can we name the woman?
" I' ve never heard anybody with any true knowledge give a name to that woman or that handel form"

This just about boils down to what I've been told in Solo years ago:- "wadon"

Possibly the answer may lay in the function of the keris as a cosmic bond , with the blade having masculine character, the scabbard having feminine character, the pesi as lingga, and the feminine enclosing the lingga, so we have the female wrongko enclosing the male wilah, and the female jejeran enclosing the male lingga. As a totality we have a representation of society.
The female has no face, because she is representative of the female element, not any specific female.

Don't take what I've just written as any accurate explanation. Its not. Its just an idea based upon the nature of the keris and the way people here can think.

17th February 2015, 08:35 AM	#3
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	The common balinese name of this hilt is Balu Mekabun (the veiled widow?), and according to the detailed reference book from EAN Van Veeendaal "Krisgrepen en scheden uit Bali en Lombok" page 22, it depicts Durga/ Rangda. I have no more information to add but all the authors agree on this interpretation in absence of any other one. The specimens shown in the books from the late Jensen or Kerner are older Javanese versions of this hilt IMO. Regards Last edited by Jean; 17th February 2015 at 08:48 AM.

17th February 2015, 12:17 PM	#4
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,273	I am not able to answer on Davids questions or post pictures of some older specimens, yet have some observations. I have seen some older hilts of this type, and they fill a wide range between quite realistic depictions, like the Keris from Vienna, symplified planar forms, and hilts, where this figure pass into floral ornaments. In the KITLV publication of Gronemans "The Javanese Kris" there is something like a Pakem from 1840, written in Surakarta. It starts on page 117 and has some hilts of this type. Quite realistic, with discernible palms, are hilts on pages 117, 123 (which otherwise is covered with floral motifs). Another, more abstract specimens are depicted on pages 119, 130, 131, 135. These hilts sometimes are already like "open borders" to planar or West-Javanese/Madurese floral hilts. An early specimen of this kind is depicted in Krisdisk, Ch. 6, p. 7. Another one - in Solyoms book, p.32. It seems these "Wadon" hilts could have been an issue in emergence of modern planar hilt forms (with Patra). Patra occur at the places, where breasts and toes are depicted on "Wadon" hilts.There are also some older planar hilts with grooves, which are connecting both Patra. An interesting point is orientation of the hilt. The old (and also the newer ones from Bali) figural hilts are always mounted with face to the width of the blade. The old "Wadon" hilts, which also are "figural" are always mounted with face to the Gandhik, like all planar hilts. Yes, and a beautiful specimen from an old thread, on a 17th century Javanese blade: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=veiled+durga Last edited by Gustav; 17th February 2015 at 12:33 PM. Reason: link added

17th February 2015, 08:17 AM	#2
Loedjoe Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Oxford (UK) Posts: 96	I have nothing to offer on the name, I'm afraid, but it seems likely that this type is of some age.There are at least three early examples of this type: in Jensen (Karsten Sejr), Den Indonesiske kris, et symbolladet våben (1998), p. 87, on a keris acquired before 1676 (a better photograph of this one is in his Krisdisk. Krisses from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines (compact disk published by the author, 2007), ch. 6, pp. 26) and p. 91, on a keris acquired before 1618. The Krisdisk also has another, assigned to the 16th/17th century, ch. 6, p. 27.

17th February 2015, 12:53 PM	#5
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,273	Now I have read the whole thread http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=veiled+durga, with the excellent posts of Marto Suwignyo, and must say, my post as such was completely superfluous. A good lecture.

17th February 2015, 06:35 PM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Thanks for reviving that thread Gustav. I had forgotten about it and for some reason did not see it when i was reviewing the archives on the subject. As you might image, my thinking seems most in line with Marto Suwignyo on that thread who sums up with the following: The argument for a Durga attribution that you have precised seems to indicate that Phillipovich is using a similar style of logic to that which others have applied in naming this form "Durga". For instance, I have in front of me eight handles with a female form.Three are variations of the wadon form which we have been discussing, one is an abstract but unmistakeably female form,another is an even more abstract form, one is Rangda, one a more or less normal female, the last is a nightmare with female characteristics.Of all these figures, only Rangda is easily identifiable. The others could be anything, and an argument could be constructed to support almost any attribution. In fact, I could probably construct a more convincing argument that any one of these figures is in fact Little Red Riding Hood, than any argument I have yet heard to support the Durga attribution for our original handle form. Wolviex, you ask:- "So my question is, is there any other goddess/deity covering herself?" I`m not at all certain that this is the right question, Wolviex. Do we yet have a proof that the figure depicted is in fact covering herself? I think not. Do we yet have a proof that the oft mentioned veil is in fact a veil? I think not. Do we yet have a proof that the depictation is indeed a deity? I think not. Do we yet have a proof that we are in fact looking at Durga? I think not. Now in my example posted here it does seem most likely that the figure is in fact covering herself. If not then i don't know quite what else is supposed to be depicted here. Whether this is intended to be a veil or not might still be in question though. In this example the covering seems almost like a helmet. I cannot say that there is proof of divinity here, but it seems likely. The hands are seen a mudra position which is often the case in statues depicting Hindu deities. As for the Durga question, i still see nothing that specifically ties this figure to her though any of the symbolic gestures or poses of the figure, nor to Rangda/Calon Arang for that matter. I am afraid that i cannot accept such an identification based solely on the fact that "all the authors agree on this interpretation in absence of any other one", especially when as far as i can tell, these authors have presented no logical argument for such an identification. Perhaps this will remain a mystery, but that mystery is just too enticing not to at least continue the search. Perhaps there is some clue in the Balinese name "Balu Mekabun", especially the widow part???

18th February 2015, 02:54 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	I can add nothing of any value to what has already been offered. Currently I'm in Solo, but before getting here yesterday I was in Bali for a few days. When this question was once again raised by David, I asked a couple of keris conscious friends to have a look at the hilt form posted and give an opinion. One of these friends is a man of 69 years who has collected and dealt keris for most of his adult life. Neither of my friends had any definitive answer. All the most knowledgeable friend was willing to say was that :- "it is clearly a woman", so OK, what woman? deity ? someone from myth or legend? can we name the woman? " I' ve never heard anybody with any true knowledge give a name to that woman or that handel form" This just about boils down to what I've been told in Solo years ago:- "wadon" Possibly the answer may lay in the function of the keris as a cosmic bond , with the blade having masculine character, the scabbard having feminine character, the pesi as lingga, and the feminine enclosing the lingga, so we have the female wrongko enclosing the male wilah, and the female jejeran enclosing the male lingga. As a totality we have a representation of society. The female has no face, because she is representative of the female element, not any specific female. Don't take what I've just written as any accurate explanation. Its not. Its just an idea based upon the nature of the keris and the way people here can think.