Another antique Javanese hilt?

Jean · 30th April 2016, 02:10 PM

I recently acquired this wooden hilt together with a very old blade similar to those attributed to Banten or Blambangan and which I showed in another thread.
In relation with the horn hilt recently shown by Gustav and possibly dating from the 17th Century, I would like to get your opinions about this one:
It is 9 cm long and made from a quite light and clear color wood, and depicts a demon seated in Maharajalilasana/ Lalitasana position? It is holding a human arm in his left hand and according to Jensen it depicts a Siva Bhairava/ Raksasa eating corpses.
Jensen shows pictures of 3 similar hilts in Chapter 6 of his Krisdisk (one wooden piece and two from ivory) which are attributed to Blambangan (East Java) and dating from the 17th Century.
I have no clear clue for dating my hilt except that it has some patina and wear (the nose especially) and believe that it has age but not necessarily as old as the specimens shown by Jensen.
Your opinions will be appreciated.
Regards

mariusgmioc · 30th April 2016, 02:27 PM

Hello Jean,

I do not know how old it may be but I have read that human figural handles were forbidden by Islam so may this be of the pre-IslamicJava?!

But why not Bali?

Anyhow, I am pretty sure you know much more than me, but I have posted my comment in the hopes I will learn more.

Jean · 30th April 2016, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Hello Jean,

I do not know how old it may be but I have read that human figural handles were forbidden by Islam so may this be of the pre-IslamicJava?!

But why not Bali?

Anyhow, I am pretty sure you know much more than me, but I have posted my comment in the hopes I will learn more.

Hello Marius,
The Blambangan area stayed Hindu until the late 18th Century if I remember well, and figural handles depicting Hindu deities continued to be made in West Java (Cirebon & Banten) until the 20th Century.
Regards

mariusgmioc · 1st May 2016, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean

Hello Marius,
The Blambangan area stayed Hindu until the late 18th Century if I remember well, and figural handles depicting Hindu deities continued to be made in West Java (Cirebon & Banten) until the 20th Century.
Regards

You see! That's exactly why I posted my comment!

Thank you once more!

And greetings from... Bandung/Java!

30th April 2016, 02:10 PM	#1
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	Another antique Javanese hilt? I recently acquired this wooden hilt together with a very old blade similar to those attributed to Banten or Blambangan and which I showed in another thread. In relation with the horn hilt recently shown by Gustav and possibly dating from the 17th Century, I would like to get your opinions about this one: It is 9 cm long and made from a quite light and clear color wood, and depicts a demon seated in Maharajalilasana/ Lalitasana position? It is holding a human arm in his left hand and according to Jensen it depicts a Siva Bhairava/ Raksasa eating corpses. Jensen shows pictures of 3 similar hilts in Chapter 6 of his Krisdisk (one wooden piece and two from ivory) which are attributed to Blambangan (East Java) and dating from the 17th Century. I have no clear clue for dating my hilt except that it has some patina and wear (the nose especially) and believe that it has age but not necessarily as old as the specimens shown by Jensen. Your opinions will be appreciated. Regards Attached Images

30th April 2016, 02:27 PM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,870	Hello Jean, I do not know how old it may be but I have read that human figural handles were forbidden by Islam so may this be of the pre-IslamicJava?! But why not Bali? Anyhow, I am pretty sure you know much more than me, but I have posted my comment in the hopes I will learn more.