Rencong with Hulu Puntung /rank or status ?

asomotif · 6th January 2010, 01:25 PM

Recently I bought a rencong with hulu puntung and the seller claimed that this type of hilt indicated a high rank within the village.

Based on the information I have, status is mostly determined by the materials (ivory/ silver / gold) and not by the shape.

Any opinions / info on this subject ?

Best regards,
Willem

kai · 7th January 2010, 12:49 AM

Hello Willem,

Quote:

Recently I bought a rencong with hulu puntung and the seller claimed that this type of hilt indicated a high rank within the village.

Have you asked him for his source?

There are some very simply carved, plain hulu puntung. OTOH, there are lots of gold/suasa decorated rencong with hulu meucangge, especially those with spiky crowns (tampo). There are quite a few ivory hulu puntung - guess that this is mainly due to limitations of the material though. OTOH, hulu puntung from akar bahar seem to be very rare while I've seen some hulu meucangge (too few hilts for sound statistics).

Quote:

Based on the information I have, status is mostly determined by the materials (ivory/ silver / gold) and not by the shape.

I'd guess so, too.

Regards,
Kai

klewang · 11th January 2010, 07:25 PM

Hello Willem,

Nice rencongs you have there, will you show the blades as well ?

Here's mine wich i recently purchased.
I know it has been posted on this forum before, but i don't have a lot info on it. If anyone would like to comment about its age (or anything else) please do.

klewang · 11th January 2010, 07:44 PM

This is the only photo i know of, where a rencong hulu puntung is carried.
Most of the pictures i have seen in books and museums data-bases show Acehnese carrying the hulu meucangge-type. Royals and people with a higher status (teukoe,panglima's) as well.

Regards

asomotif · 12th January 2010, 12:05 AM

Hello Klewang,

Nice one you have with the hippo hilt. I did not know that the seller was able to communicate. requested him the price some time ago but received no reply

it is missing a piece of precious metal between the hilt and the blade.

Here is picture of the blade of my latest purchase and in comparisson to another smaler one.
Notice the dark spot in the wood.
I don't see this type of wood to often with rentjongs. but have 2 of these scabbards now.

6th January 2010, 01:25 PM	#1
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,221	Rencong with Hulu Puntung /rank or status ? Recently I bought a rencong with hulu puntung and the seller claimed that this type of hilt indicated a high rank within the village. Based on the information I have, status is mostly determined by the materials (ivory/ silver / gold) and not by the shape. Any opinions / info on this subject ? Best regards, Willem Attached Images Last edited by asomotif; 6th January 2010 at 03:24 PM.

11th January 2010, 07:25 PM	#3
klewang Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 23	Hello Willem, Nice rencongs you have there, will you show the blades as well ? Here's mine wich i recently purchased. I know it has been posted on this forum before, but i don't have a lot info on it. If anyone would like to comment about its age (or anything else) please do. Attached Images Last edited by klewang; 11th January 2010 at 10:30 PM.

11th January 2010, 07:44 PM	#4
klewang Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 23	This is the only photo i know of, where a rencong hulu puntung is carried. Most of the pictures i have seen in books and museums data-bases show Acehnese carrying the hulu meucangge-type. Royals and people with a higher status (teukoe,panglima's) as well. Regards Attached Images Last edited by klewang; 11th January 2010 at 07:57 PM.

12th January 2010, 12:05 AM	#5
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,221	Hello Klewang, Nice one you have with the hippo hilt. I did not know that the seller was able to communicate. requested him the price some time ago but received no reply it is missing a piece of precious metal between the hilt and the blade. Here is picture of the blade of my latest purchase and in comparisson to another smaler one. Notice the dark spot in the wood. I don't see this type of wood to often with rentjongs. but have 2 of these scabbards now. Attached Images