Question about Bugis hilts

[Rick]

Hi Sajen,

Hippo teeth can't be that big either (compared to Elephant ivory); nor do they demonstrate a consistently circular cross section .

Can we call Hippo marine ivory ??

I would still posit that being carved from a smaller tooth it would unavoidably include some of the exterior topography of the source .

Hide it under the cup, no ?

[asomotif]

Hello Detlef,

Interesting thread.

never have seen it by for example Jawa Deman handles from ivory.

Where these Jawa deman hilts from marine ivory. or elephant ?

I think that marine ivory often is indeed a tooth from a whale.
And indeed to make a bugis keris hilt out of such a tooth, I can imagine you need to play with the form and material that you have available.

Can we call Hippo marine ivory ??

No, Hippo is Hippo, they don't go out to sea

[Rick]

Originally Posted by asomotif

No, Hippo is Hippo, they don't go out to sea

Awwww ...

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Rick

Hi Sajen,

Hippo teeth can't be that big either (compared to Elephant ivory); nor do they demonstrate a consistently circular cross section .

Can we call Hippo marine ivory ??

I would still posit that being carved from a smaller tooth it would unavoidably include some of the exterior topography of the source .

Hide it under the cup, no ?

Hi Rick,

the last hilt is for sure from Hippo, look at the line with the black spots, a sign for ivory from Hippo. The first hilt I show is in my opinion also from this material but more difficult to see because the dark patination. And the carved one maybe also but very difficult to say exactly because you don't have a plain surface. I have some big examples from this material.

sajen