Pamor for protection and power over the enemy

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo Jussi,

Among the Soenda, damascene patterns were usually reserved for the privileged classes. As far as I know the Soenda have never traditionally crafted damascene patterns. They have always accepted whatever 'comes out of the oven' (as a 'Divine' gift). So the damascene patterns most commonly encountered among the Soenda would have been Toetoel (spots) and Soelangkar (lines). Of course they did have a variety in the mix of metals used (that may account for why patterns made by some smiths have varying shades, between silver and rust-coloured on the same blade). Even today (so far) sources of some of the metals used remain unknown/lost in time, thus making the exact duplication of some items very difficult. To make 'deliberate' damascene patterns, the pioneers in Soenda smithing renaissance of today have had to study the methods used by the Javanese.

Best,