Show Us Your Akar Bahar

A. G. Maisey · 30th September 2015, 05:18 AM

back in the 1960's and 1970's there was heaps of this stuff available in bali, mostly in the form of bracelets, i had a lot and most have been given away.

i'm not home right now, but when i get back i'll dig out what i can find and post. got some bits of red stuff too.

don't have any keris hilts of it, wouldn't mind one.

Loedjoe · 14th October 2015, 08:42 AM

A few more examples. The peurawot bought from BataviaCollectables.com (many thanks, Maurice)

A. G. Maisey · 14th October 2015, 11:28 PM

Here is a knife handle, sorry, no blade at the moment, that is being cleaned and stained.

I've got a few pieces of this stuff, but this handle was the only piece I could put my hand on without searching.

Battara · 16th October 2015, 11:31 PM

So what is the nature of black coral's talismanic properties?

BTW - great examples folks!

A. G. Maisey · 18th October 2015, 12:37 AM

I have acquired all of the black coral I've had over the years in Bali. In the 1960's through into the 1980's there were always a lot of black coral bracelets on offer, souvenir quality through to very nice jewellery pieces, however, in recent years it has just about disappeared, I did see a few bracelets for sale in April of this year, but nothing I'd spend money on.

Anyway, in the '70's it was sold as a potent protection against spells and black magic, and many Balinese people used to, and still do wear it.

A. G. Maisey · 12th November 2015, 03:53 AM

I knew I had these somewhere. Found them shifting stuff around so my painters could do some work.

Black coral bracelets, Bali, around 1974.

apolaki · 10th January 2016, 01:40 AM

Here is mine. It is shaped like a finger and even has a finger nail!

14th October 2015, 08:42 AM	#2
Loedjoe Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Oxford (UK) Posts: 96	A few more examples. The peurawot bought from BataviaCollectables.com (many thanks, Maurice) Attached Images

14th October 2015, 11:28 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	Here is a knife handle, sorry, no blade at the moment, that is being cleaned and stained. I've got a few pieces of this stuff, but this handle was the only piece I could put my hand on without searching. Attached Images

12th November 2015, 03:53 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	I knew I had these somewhere. Found them shifting stuff around so my painters could do some work. Black coral bracelets, Bali, around 1974. Attached Images

10th January 2016, 01:40 AM	#7
apolaki Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 160	Here is mine. It is shaped like a finger and even has a finger nail! Attached Images

30th September 2015, 05:18 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	back in the 1960's and 1970's there was heaps of this stuff available in bali, mostly in the form of bracelets, i had a lot and most have been given away. i'm not home right now, but when i get back i'll dig out what i can find and post. got some bits of red stuff too. don't have any keris hilts of it, wouldn't mind one.

16th October 2015, 11:31 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	So what is the nature of black coral's talismanic properties? BTW - great examples folks!

18th October 2015, 12:37 AM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	I have acquired all of the black coral I've had over the years in Bali. In the 1960's through into the 1980's there were always a lot of black coral bracelets on offer, souvenir quality through to very nice jewellery pieces, however, in recent years it has just about disappeared, I did see a few bracelets for sale in April of this year, but nothing I'd spend money on. Anyway, in the '70's it was sold as a potent protection against spells and black magic, and many Balinese people used to, and still do wear it.