Interesting knife -- ? origin

Ian · 4th June 2005, 12:49 PM

It is a Balinese wedung, as VVV, BluErf, Battara and Naga Sasra have noted, and identical to the drawing in v. Zonneveld as pointed out by Battara.

What was throwing me astray was the markedly clipped blade, the heavy use of brass (especially those little inlays along the spine which are reminiscent of Thai work), and the extensive koftgari (?) work on the blade. It was obviously not a Javanese wedung (as Ariel noted), but a Balinese ceremonial wedung makes sense -- never seen one of these before and I would guess they must be uncommon.

Maybe next time

Mick · 4th June 2005, 08:49 PM

This item has appeared before.

http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000732.html

I looked at the piece on eBay and, since I had two sheaths, made bids on it as it was in better condition that the one that I have. Both sheaths are illustrated in the referenced address. Discussion in the topic brought out that the piece should be properly called a ceremonial weapon as it is utilixed iby a priest in the cremation ceremony to open the final crematory item (bull or what ever) in order to insert the corpse as part of the ceremony.

Andrew · 4th June 2005, 09:03 PM

Thanks for the link to that excellent thread, Mick!

Great stuff.

RobT · 6th June 2005, 04:49 AM

First thanks to Mick for the thread refrence. It's just great. I just want to give a quick reference to Stone's pg 249, Figure 306, number 6. I saw one of these pieces with the figural hilt as pictured. All these blades I've seen (admittedly only 3) have the same type of decoration on the spine next the hilt (as Stone would say).
Sincerely,
RobT

4th June 2005, 12:49 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Thanks guys ... It is a Balinese wedung, as VVV, BluErf, Battara and Naga Sasra have noted, and identical to the drawing in v. Zonneveld as pointed out by Battara. What was throwing me astray was the markedly clipped blade, the heavy use of brass (especially those little inlays along the spine which are reminiscent of Thai work), and the extensive koftgari (?) work on the blade. It was obviously not a Javanese wedung (as Ariel noted), but a Balinese ceremonial wedung makes sense -- never seen one of these before and I would guess they must be uncommon. Maybe next time

6th June 2005, 04:49 AM	#4
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 563	Stone's pg 249 First thanks to Mick for the thread refrence. It's just great. I just want to give a quick reference to Stone's pg 249, Figure 306, number 6. I saw one of these pieces with the figural hilt as pictured. All these blades I've seen (admittedly only 3) have the same type of decoration on the spine next the hilt (as Stone would say). Sincerely, RobT

4th June 2005, 08:49 PM	#2
Mick Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Orlando Posts: 104	This item has appeared before. http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000732.html I looked at the piece on eBay and, since I had two sheaths, made bids on it as it was in better condition that the one that I have. Both sheaths are illustrated in the referenced address. Discussion in the topic brought out that the piece should be properly called a ceremonial weapon as it is utilixed iby a priest in the cremation ceremony to open the final crematory item (bull or what ever) in order to insert the corpse as part of the ceremony.

4th June 2005, 09:03 PM	#3
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Thanks for the link to that excellent thread, Mick! Great stuff.