Determine Front Side of The Pendok

rasdan · 19th August 2017, 03:47 AM

Hi guys,

I don't know if it is normal for a North Coast Javanese pendok to have 2 design on each side with more or less similar level of workmanship. On Malay pendok usually the one on the back is less refined than the front.

Is side B motif Javanese? Probably one motif was made earlier than the other? Regarding the side with "pillar" design, if I am not mistaken, according to Alan, it is symbolic of renewal of life.

Here's a quote from Alan's previous catalogue, describing this motif "it shows the pupa of a dragonfly, progressing to its adult form. In Javanese symbolism, the dragonfly can be understood as a symbol related to the warrior, so the symbolism of this pendok is in fact closely related to extinction of, and renewal of life, a theme that is frequently found in Javanese art and thought."

If we look closely, there's a motif that starts from the bottom of the pendok "making it's" way to the top of the pendok and it's size and refinement grows as it reaches the top. I provide an example of this motif below.

rasdan · 19th August 2017, 03:49 AM

I think my post above was posted at the same time as Alan and Detlief. Sorry if there is any confusion.

A. G. Maisey · 19th August 2017, 04:25 AM

Thanks for that Rasdan.

The dragonfly is probably better, because of the warrior connotation, but I have seen this motif interpreted as butterfly/moth also.

rasdan · 19th August 2017, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Thanks for that Rasdan.

The dragonfly is probably better, because of the warrior connotation, but I have seen this motif interpreted as butterfly/moth also.

No worries, Alan. Thanks for the other interpretations (moth/butterfly) as well. I have zero knowledge in this area and I think this area is rather neglected in keris research.

A. G. Maisey · 19th August 2017, 01:54 PM

I have no idea at all which side is supposed to be the front. When in doubt I fit the pendok to a suitable wrongko and see which way it sits correctly.

Bejo, I feel that your pendok is very probably old, 41gm is too light for a recent pendok, old silver pendoks were usually lighter than more recent ones.

Jean · 19th August 2017, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

I have no idea at all which side is supposed to be the front. When in doubt I fit the pendok to a suitable wrongko and see which way it sits correctly.

From the pics, Bejo's pendok looks very symmetrical at least on top side so fitting it to a wrongko may not help much.
The 3 reasons wich make me feel that B is the front side are as follows:
. To my eyes the embossed motif is more finely made on side B
. The main motif is framed on side B unlike on side A
. From the pics there seems to be more dark patina & wear near the bottom tip on side A
My personal opinion only...
Regards

Bejo · 19th August 2017, 04:39 PM

Wow. So many nice other pendoks were also posted

Thanks.

In my opinion, side B maybe is the front side. Because the top part of the pendok is quite uncommon for side A. The left part is higher than the right part. From my observation from my other pendok (Jogja and Solo), usually the left part is lower or same height with the right part.

I will try to ask the seller if there are photos of pendok in original warongko.

Thank you,

Best regards,

Joe

19th August 2017, 03:47 AM	#1
rasdan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kuala Lumpur Posts: 369	Hi guys, I don't know if it is normal for a North Coast Javanese pendok to have 2 design on each side with more or less similar level of workmanship. On Malay pendok usually the one on the back is less refined than the front. Is side B motif Javanese? Probably one motif was made earlier than the other? Regarding the side with "pillar" design, if I am not mistaken, according to Alan, it is symbolic of renewal of life. Here's a quote from Alan's previous catalogue, describing this motif "it shows the pupa of a dragonfly, progressing to its adult form. In Javanese symbolism, the dragonfly can be understood as a symbol related to the warrior, so the symbolism of this pendok is in fact closely related to extinction of, and renewal of life, a theme that is frequently found in Javanese art and thought." If we look closely, there's a motif that starts from the bottom of the pendok "making it's" way to the top of the pendok and it's size and refinement grows as it reaches the top. I provide an example of this motif below. Attached Images Last edited by rasdan; 19th August 2017 at 11:59 AM.

19th August 2017, 03:49 AM	#2
rasdan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kuala Lumpur Posts: 369	I think my post above was posted at the same time as Alan and Detlief. Sorry if there is any confusion.

19th August 2017, 04:25 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	Thanks for that Rasdan. The dragonfly is probably better, because of the warrior connotation, but I have seen this motif interpreted as butterfly/moth also.

19th August 2017, 01:54 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	I have no idea at all which side is supposed to be the front. When in doubt I fit the pendok to a suitable wrongko and see which way it sits correctly. Bejo, I feel that your pendok is very probably old, 41gm is too light for a recent pendok, old silver pendoks were usually lighter than more recent ones.

19th August 2017, 04:39 PM	#7
Bejo Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: East Java, Indonesia Posts: 42	Wow. So many nice other pendoks were also posted Thanks. In my opinion, side B maybe is the front side. Because the top part of the pendok is quite uncommon for side A. The left part is higher than the right part. From my observation from my other pendok (Jogja and Solo), usually the left part is lower or same height with the right part. I will try to ask the seller if there are photos of pendok in original warongko. Thank you, Best regards, Joe