Thick knife frome Bali/Lombok

SidJ · 4th April 2025, 11:08 PM

A Jawa wedhung was auctioned as part of the fabled Missilier collection recently. Lot 315 for those interested. This is the write-up. I am not sure if wedhung were used for funerary purposes not least because Jawa is Islamic and the practice referred to may be more Hindu Balinese. Anyway, any thoughts welcome -

Javanese ritual knife used by priests during funeral ceremonies, to symbolically sever ties with the world of the living. This example is particularly luxurious, with a handle in fossilized mastodon tooth and gilded metal, and a wooden scabbard decorated with gold thread instead of the usual rattan. It features a horn belt hook. This piece was probably intended for royal funeral rites.

A. G. Maisey · 4th April 2025, 11:44 PM

I tried to find the auction listing & I could not, however, the reported text that seems to have accompanied the listing does look to be somewhat confused.

SidJ · 5th April 2025, 12:20 AM

My thoughts exactly Alan. See the link and go to lot 315.
https://www.gazette-drouot.com/en/au...ier-collection

A. G. Maisey · 5th April 2025, 05:22 AM

Thank you Sid, yes, way off track.

But still, a nice piece.

Sajen · 5th April 2025, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SidJ

My thoughts exactly Alan. See the link and go to lot 315.
https://www.gazette-drouot.com/en/au...ier-collection

The pic. for later reference.

David · 5th April 2025, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SidJ

Javanese ritual knife used by priests during funeral ceremonies, to symbolically sever ties with the world of the living. This example is particularly luxurious, with a handle in fossilized mastodon tooth and gilded metal, and a wooden scabbard decorated with gold thread instead of the usual rattan. It features a horn belt hook. This piece was probably intended for royal funeral rites.

It sounds like they were confused by the common misconception that Balinese pengentas are a form of wedhung because this is the description most often applied to them.

SidJ · 5th April 2025, 08:14 PM

Well could be a rookie error which if so is embarrassing given the circumstances. But the story that was spun also happens to be a lot more alluring and exciting compared to tool symbolising servility to the King or symbolic grass cutter to enable the King to walk freely!

Sajen · 5th April 2025, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SidJ

Well could be a rookie error which if so is embarrassing given the circumstances. But the story that was spun also happens to be a lot more alluring and exciting compared to tool symbolising servility to the King or symbolic grass cutter to enable the King to walk freely!

Well said!

Sajen · 7th April 2025, 02:58 PM

Lust got the information that I am the winner of this Bali knife. 44 cm long.

7th April 2025, 02:58 PM	#9
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Lust got the information that I am the winner of this Bali knife. 44 cm long. Attached Images

4th April 2025, 11:08 PM	#1
SidJ Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 207	A Jawa wedhung was auctioned as part of the fabled Missilier collection recently. Lot 315 for those interested. This is the write-up. I am not sure if wedhung were used for funerary purposes not least because Jawa is Islamic and the practice referred to may be more Hindu Balinese. Anyway, any thoughts welcome - Javanese ritual knife used by priests during funeral ceremonies, to symbolically sever ties with the world of the living. This example is particularly luxurious, with a handle in fossilized mastodon tooth and gilded metal, and a wooden scabbard decorated with gold thread instead of the usual rattan. It features a horn belt hook. This piece was probably intended for royal funeral rites.

4th April 2025, 11:44 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	I tried to find the auction listing & I could not, however, the reported text that seems to have accompanied the listing does look to be somewhat confused.

5th April 2025, 12:20 AM	#3
SidJ Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 207	My thoughts exactly Alan. See the link and go to lot 315. https://www.gazette-drouot.com/en/au...ier-collection

5th April 2025, 05:22 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	Thank you Sid, yes, way off track. But still, a nice piece.

5th April 2025, 08:14 PM	#7
SidJ Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 207	Well could be a rookie error which if so is embarrassing given the circumstances. But the story that was spun also happens to be a lot more alluring and exciting compared to tool symbolising servility to the King or symbolic grass cutter to enable the King to walk freely!