Crowns on Aceh weapons revisited

Loedjoe · 5th June 2019, 04:21 PM

Here is another siwaih - not quite up to the high standard of many of the others shown in this thread.
Black wood hilt with highlights of reddish brown (ebony?), black wood sheath with dugong ivory tip and ivory projection. 42 cm, blade 27 cm (9 mm thick at the base), hilt 10.5 cm. A band presumably missing an inch or so below the top of the sheath.

Battara · 5th June 2019, 05:57 PM

Another wonder example, many thanks!

I would LOVE to have one of these!

Sajen · 5th June 2019, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loedjoe

Black wood hilt with highlights of reddish brown (ebony?),.....

Very nice example, like Jose I would like to have such an example in my collection! And yes, I think it's ebony. It's a worthy wood and not cheaper as akhar bahar or ivory!

Regards,
Detlef

Battara · 8th June 2019, 04:00 AM

I think you are right Detlef. As I re-examined the pictures, the material does look like makassar ebony at best (and purposely burned wood at the worst).

Almost makes me wonder if this was a replacement for broken akhar bahar or ivory.

kai · 8th June 2019, 10:17 PM

We really have to keep in mind that the most precious timbers can be more expensive and rarer than ivory or gold. In the good ol' days, the latter could be easily sourced if you had any decent amount of funds. Special wood like burl, especially with strong chatoyance, correct grain for carving, and possibly extra features needed to be searched for, cured for extended periods, and correctly selected by experienced artisans for the very task - it often wasn't at hand at the whim of the customer. If this hilt is antique, the selection of materials wasn't spurious...

I can't tell this wood from the pics. It seems to have rather large pores for any type of ebony. It might be one of the rarer hardwoods - tough to tell from pics!

Regards,
Kai

kai · 8th June 2019, 10:21 PM

Tim asked me to extend thanks to all who responded!

He seems to have problems with logging in and I hope he'll be back soon.

Regards,
Kai

Loedjoe · 21st August 2019, 11:52 AM

This sikin panjang (length 74.3 cm, blade 57 cm., no scabbard) has an unusual 'third' crown above a normal double crown. Has anyone seen a similar addition above the usual crown? And what was the purpose of it - to make a double crown into a triple one? Any comments from the experts would be most welcome.

kai · 22nd August 2019, 10:15 PM

Hello Tim,

Good to have you back!

I’d vote for 2.5.

The general crown type is of the glupa configuration (2 crowns), with an added ferrule-like ring as is also seen on a few rencong. I reckon this is an original design.

A nice addition to the family!

Regards,
Kai

5th June 2019, 04:21 PM	#1
Loedjoe Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Oxford (UK) Posts: 96	Crowns on Aceh weapons revisited Here is another siwaih - not quite up to the high standard of many of the others shown in this thread. Black wood hilt with highlights of reddish brown (ebony?), black wood sheath with dugong ivory tip and ivory projection. 42 cm, blade 27 cm (9 mm thick at the base), hilt 10.5 cm. A band presumably missing an inch or so below the top of the sheath. Attached Images

21st August 2019, 11:52 AM	#7
Loedjoe Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Oxford (UK) Posts: 96	Is this a double or a triple crown? This sikin panjang (length 74.3 cm, blade 57 cm., no scabbard) has an unusual 'third' crown above a normal double crown. Has anyone seen a similar addition above the usual crown? And what was the purpose of it - to make a double crown into a triple one? Any comments from the experts would be most welcome. Attached Images

5th June 2019, 05:57 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Another wonder example, many thanks! I would LOVE to have one of these!

8th June 2019, 04:00 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	I think you are right Detlef. As I re-examined the pictures, the material does look like makassar ebony at best (and purposely burned wood at the worst). Almost makes me wonder if this was a replacement for broken akhar bahar or ivory.

8th June 2019, 10:17 PM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,223	We really have to keep in mind that the most precious timbers can be more expensive and rarer than ivory or gold. In the good ol' days, the latter could be easily sourced if you had any decent amount of funds. Special wood like burl, especially with strong chatoyance, correct grain for carving, and possibly extra features needed to be searched for, cured for extended periods, and correctly selected by experienced artisans for the very task - it often wasn't at hand at the whim of the customer. If this hilt is antique, the selection of materials wasn't spurious... I can't tell this wood from the pics. It seems to have rather large pores for any type of ebony. It might be one of the rarer hardwoods - tough to tell from pics! Regards, Kai

8th June 2019, 10:21 PM	#6
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,223	Tim asked me to extend thanks to all who responded! He seems to have problems with logging in and I hope he'll be back soon. Regards, Kai

22nd August 2019, 10:15 PM	#8
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,223	Hello Tim, Good to have you back! I’d vote for 2.5. The general crown type is of the glupa configuration (2 crowns), with an added ferrule-like ring as is also seen on a few rencong. I reckon this is an original design. A nice addition to the family! Regards, Kai