BALI KERIS HULU : ANIMAL FORM, what is it ?

David · 8th August 2021, 09:15 PM

Well, i've never seen anything quite like this in a Balinese keris hilt. There are bears in the region, but this depiction looks a bit slim for a bear. I agree it looks more like a dog. But i have never seen either bears or dogs in keris iconology.
You say you like the carving. Is this wood. In you photos it's hard to tell. It looks either like metal or wood that has been painted silver.

8th August 2021, 09:15 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Well, i've never seen anything quite like this in a Balinese keris hilt. There are bears in the region, but this depiction looks a bit slim for a bear. I agree it looks more like a dog. But i have never seen either bears or dogs in keris iconology. You say you like the carving. Is this wood. In you photos it's hard to tell. It looks either like metal or wood that has been painted silver.