Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 20th December 2012, 09:34 PM   #1
Gustav
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,192
Default Bali ceremonial knife

Dear All,

finally it has found his new owner, and I think, it would be interesting to start a discussion about it:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-INDO...item19d74a7316

At first sight I thought it would be the real thing, but then... one thing for sure: it would be the first one of this kind I see without the "Banji" (swastika) ornament. And there are some other strange features.

Is this one an attempt to cheat or just a less fine or more recent example of its kind?
Attached Images
      
Gustav is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th December 2012, 09:36 PM   #2
Gustav
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,192
Default

Pics continued:
Attached Images
      
Gustav is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th December 2012, 09:39 PM   #3
Gustav
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,192
Default

And more:
Attached Images
      
Gustav is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th December 2012, 09:51 PM   #4
Atlantia
Member
 
Atlantia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
Default

Hi Gustav,

It's a nice knife, shall we call them 'Wedung'? I know some do and some don't.

Artzi had a similar one on his website some time ago:
http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=1812
Attached Images
  
Atlantia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th December 2012, 09:55 PM   #5
Atlantia
Member
 
Atlantia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
Default

I have two 'cousins'.
Sadly neither comes with the oversized ceremonial scabbard, the "party dress".
One of mine is 'naked' and the other only has it's 'everday' scabbard.
Both of mine have the 'swastika' geometry.
Atlantia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th December 2012, 10:22 PM   #6
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,408
Default

Hello Gustav,

have found this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=bali+knife

The one from Artzi was discussed here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=bali+knife

The one you have posted look original to my eyes and like the both threads show they don't need to have the swastika ornament. But honestly I have state that I don't know to much about them.

Attached a picture from the first thread.

Regards,

Detlef
Attached Images
 
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th December 2012, 10:38 PM   #7
Atlantia
Member
 
Atlantia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sajen
Hello Gustav,

have found this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=bali+knife

The one from Artzi was discussed here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=bali+knife

The one you have posted look original to my eyes and like the both threads show they don't need to have the swastika ornament. But honestly I have state that I don't know to much about them.

Attached a picture from the first thread.

Regards,

Detlef
Hi Detlef,

That's interesting.
The example you found has not got the 'monster' on the spine.
Remember my two cousins?
Attached Images
   
Atlantia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th December 2012, 10:57 PM   #8
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,408
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Atlantia
Hi Detlef,

That's interesting.
The example you found has not got the 'monster' on the spine.
Remember my two cousins?
Hi buddy,

yes remember your both knifes. Both have the swastika ornament. The one from Charles have maybe lost the "monster" on it's spine or never have had it, I don't know. But on page 74 from the book "Traditional Weapons Of The Indonesian Archipelago" is shown an example which also don't have this "monster" nor the swastika ornament.

Regards,

Detlef
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th December 2012, 11:11 PM   #9
Gustav
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,192
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sajen
But on page 74 from the book "Traditional Weapons Of The Indonesian Archipelago" is shown an example which also don't have this "monster" nor the swastika ornament.
Gene, Detlef, thank you very much for the interesting insights!

Detlef, in van Zonnevelds book depicted is the other side of the knife, which don't have ornaments. Yet you are wright about the "monster".
Gustav is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th December 2012, 11:57 PM   #10
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,408
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gustav
Gene, Detlef, thank you very much for the interesting insights!

Detlef, in van Zonnevelds book depicted is the other side of the knife, which don't have ornaments. Yet you are wright about the "monster".

Hello Gustav,

yes, you are right, in Alberts book is shown the other side. But don't think that Albert will show this side when the other will be fancy.

Maybe Albert will help by this question.
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st December 2012, 05:33 AM   #11
Gustav
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,192
Default

Detlef, I think, you are wright. The knife in van Zonnevelds book don't have ornaments on blade, Schmeltz also describes a plain blade with grooves on both sides. So perhaps we can see some logic here, regarding this and picture in #4:

No "monster" head = no further ornaments on the blade.
Gustav is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st December 2012, 04:14 PM   #12
Battara
EAAF Staff
 
Battara's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,135
Default

Ceremonially what were these used for?
Battara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st December 2012, 04:34 PM   #13
CharlesS
Member
 
CharlesS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greenville, NC
Posts: 1,855
Default

Battara, apparently these are associated with funerary rites.
CharlesS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st December 2012, 05:53 PM   #14
Atlantia
Member
 
Atlantia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by CharlesS
Battara, apparently these are associated with funerary rites.
Absolutely! My own trade, which is why I rather like them.
There's a great thread somewhere with tons of pictures.......


Here we go:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13443

Last edited by Atlantia; 21st December 2012 at 06:22 PM.
Atlantia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st December 2012, 06:19 PM   #15
Atlantia
Member
 
Atlantia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
Default

Hi Guys
If you do a little digging into the archives there are some great threads on these rare and interesting knives.
http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000732.html
Atlantia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st December 2012, 08:47 PM   #16
Albert
Member
 
Albert's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 191
Smile

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sajen
Hello Gustav,

yes, you are right, in Alberts book is shown the other side. But don't think that Albert will show this side when the other will be fancy.

Maybe Albert will help by this question.

That is correct, if the other side of the blade had been more fancy, I would have shown that one. Both sides of the blade are exactly the same.
Albert
Albert is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st December 2012, 09:01 PM   #17
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,408
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Albert
That is correct, if the other side of the blade had been more fancy, I would have shown that one. Both sides of the blade are exactly the same.
Albert
Thank you very much for clarification!


Regards,

Detlef
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st December 2012, 09:10 PM   #18
Atlantia
Member
 
Atlantia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sajen
Hi buddy,

yes remember your both knifes. Both have the swastika ornament. The one from Charles have maybe lost the "monster" on it's spine or never have had it, I don't know. But on page 74 from the book "Traditional Weapons Of The Indonesian Archipelago" is shown an example which also don't have this "monster" nor the swastika ornament.

Regards,

Detlef
Hi Detlef

I think these are really interesting. Is there a work that defines the various types and region specific variations?

ATB
Gene
Atlantia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st December 2012, 09:28 PM   #19
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,408
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Atlantia
Hi Detlef

I think these are really interesting. Is there a work that defines the various types and region specific variations?

ATB
Gene
Hi Gene,

not that I am aware of. But one thing is to remark: To my knowledge have the Java wedung nothing to do with the Bali tiuk pengentas.
But like I have written before, my knowledge about both knifes is very limited.

Regards,

Detlef
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st December 2012, 11:11 PM   #20
Gustav
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,192
Default

I suppose - more ornamentation - more magic content. I don't think, they all are equal. We have so far: plain blades (without the "head" embellishment), blades with ornamentation (with "head"), blades with ornamentation including "Banji", which is magically a VERY important ornament (with "head").

I know, it all sounds childish. It would be interesting to hear some thoughts of a Balinese, who would share his knowledge.
Gustav is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st December 2012, 11:28 PM   #21
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,408
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gustav
It would be interesting to hear some thoughts of a Balinese, who would share his knowledge.

Hello Gustav,

will try to ask a Balinese I know if he can tell us more.

Regards,

Detlef
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22nd December 2012, 03:13 AM   #22
Battara
EAAF Staff
 
Battara's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,135
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Atlantia
Absolutely! My own trade, which is why I rather like them.
There's a great thread somewhere with tons of pictures.......


Here we go:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13443
Well I feel like an idiot now!

I clean forgot about this thread (and I posted in it! ).

Thanks.......
Battara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22nd December 2012, 04:19 PM   #23
Atlantia
Member
 
Atlantia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Battara
Well I feel like an idiot now!

I clean forgot about this thread (and I posted in it! ).

Thanks.......
ROTF!!!
I do it all the time, don't worry at all mate.
Atlantia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22nd December 2012, 04:27 PM   #24
Atlantia
Member
 
Atlantia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sajen
Hi Gene,

not that I am aware of. But one thing is to remark: To my knowledge have the Java wedung nothing to do with the Bali tiuk pengentas.
But like I have written before, my knowledge about both knifes is very limited.

Regards,

Detlef
Hi Detlef,

That's an interesting point. The other day I noticed this reply from Amuk in an old thread about my pair:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Amuk Murugul
Hullo again Gene,

FWIW ..... I refer to mine as Balinese Blakas.

Best,
I did mean to ask him but..... my old brain... forgets things.....

Are you saying the these are not 'Wedung'? but 'tiuk pengenta'?
It's not a term I've heard before Can you elaborate please?

Thanks buddy
Gene
Atlantia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22nd December 2012, 04:37 PM   #25
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,408
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Atlantia
Hi Detlef,

That's an interesting point. The other day I noticed this reply from Amuk in an old thread about my pair:



I did mean to ask him but..... my old brain... forgets things.....

Are you saying the these are not 'Wedung'? but 'tiuk pengenta'?
It's not a term I've heard before Can you elaborate please?

Thanks buddy
Gene
Hi Gene,

look post # 16 of this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13443, a name I have heard on Bali as well.

Regards,

Detlef
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22nd December 2012, 06:25 PM   #26
Atlantia
Member
 
Atlantia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sajen
Hi Gene,

look post # 16 of this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13443, a name I have heard on Bali as well.

Regards,

Detlef
Hi Detlef,

Thanks, that clears it up nicely.
So tiuk pengentas it is!
Atlantia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22nd December 2012, 07:38 PM   #27
VVV
Member
 
VVV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,637
Default

I have noticed that the old ones usually don't have the swastika pattern, so maybe it's the other way around?
Here are two blurry cell phone pictures I shot when visiting the Klungkung palace museum. There seems to be a difference between the ceremonial axe and this "household knife", both in use and name.

Michael

PS I have one and used to have an additional that I traded. One is plain and the other have an ornamented blade. Both of them have this kind of scabbard, old style makara hilt, the "monster" protrusion and inlay on the back of the blade.
I suspect that the makara hilt, more than if there is inlay on the blade, is an age indicator.
Attached Images
  

Last edited by VVV; 22nd December 2012 at 07:49 PM. Reason: added PS
VVV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23rd December 2012, 02:10 AM   #28
Battara
EAAF Staff
 
Battara's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,135
Default

Ok, so this one I have was also used for funeral services as well?

I know it is ceremonial and like the one in your pictures above. Also there is heavily silver koftgari on both sides.
Attached Images
  
Battara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23rd December 2012, 12:29 PM   #29
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,408
Default

Hello all,

here the answer I just received from Bali:

Dear Detlef,
Thank you for your email and the link, of course I still remember you. I try to give a small information about "tiuk pengentas", in Bali we use tiuk pengentas as one of a must thing for cremation ceremony, to open the wrap of the body we use tiuk pengentas which symbolize to open another word for the soul,and hope that the soul will get a good way. after we bring the body to cemetery, we also use tiuk pengentas to open the tie of the buffalo statue, there is a hole inside the buffalo to put the body and burning the body inside.
I hope my little explanation can give you a little information.
kindly regards,
Ketut Karang


I have asked him further questions and will post his answer here when I have received it.
Regards,

Detlef

Last edited by Sajen; 23rd December 2012 at 12:58 PM.
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23rd December 2012, 12:30 PM   #30
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,408
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Battara
Ok, so this one I have was also used for funeral services as well?

I know it is ceremonial and like the one in your pictures above. Also there is heavily silver koftgari on both sides.

Hello Jose,

yes, I think so.
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:03 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.