Keris holder for comment

[tunggulametung]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Hmmm, what do you think?

Yes kind of. But we are borrowing Javanese term here, there might be a Balinese name for that but I believe it is harder to find, perhaps others can name a good book on Balinese wayang. Incidentally, the reference that you use is Gatotkaca, son of Bima . Specific to the particular gelung, in Java it is connected while in Bali is disconnected (your keris holder is not incomplete/with defect).

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by tunggulametung

Yes kind of. But we are borrowing Javanese term here, there might be a Balinese name for that but I believe it is harder to find, perhaps others can name a good book on Balinese wayang. Incidentally, the reference that you use is Gatotkaca, son of Bima . Specific to the particular gelung, in Java it is connected while in Bali is disconnected (your keris holder is not incomplete/with defect).

So what do you think? Mine seems to have all the attributes of Bhima from what I can gather from searching images on google?

Even the snake around his neck.

[Atlantia]

I also have a Twalen figure of I would imagine similar age.
I think everyone has a Twalen or two?

[sirek]

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by sirek

LOL, couple of Twalens, couple of Hanuman....

[A. G. Maisey]

Tunggalametung, I don't think we should use the word "gelung" to describe a warrior's hairstyle. "Gelung" is ngoko for the traditional Javanese women's hairstyle, it is modified by:- gelung kondhe , the everyday style with the bun at the back; gelung boko, which is for ceremonies and special events; gelung supit urang, with a little bun on each side of the head; gelung tekuk, generic for special hairstyles.

No, I'm not a hairdresser. I knew that "gelung" was for women, and when I checked my memory before I posted I found all these other hairstyles.

On the subject of Bali keris size, historically --- and I'm going way, way back --- keris size related to hierarchical position:- big keris : high position. Very old Balinese keris can be quite small, you're absolutely right, not all Bali keris are big.

Gene

Thanks for the close ups. Yes, definite tendency towards Bhima, I agree that this character was probably intended, Bhima Bratasena.

Additionally, your close ups show the paint work better, and I tend to think it could be a little older than my first estimate, however, that light wood is a dead give away, it cannot be other than a souvenir with wood like that.

[tunggulametung]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Tunggalametung, I don't think we should use the word "gelung" to describe a warrior's hairstyle. "Gelung" is ngoko for the traditional Javanese women's hairstyle, it is modified by:- gelung kondhe , the everyday style with the bun at the back; gelung boko, which is for ceremonies and special events; gelung supit urang, with a little bun on each side of the head; gelung tekuk, generic for special hairstyles.

Hello Alan, I'm not wayang expert but I'm certain gelung is a valid wayang term. However I check the link that I gave last night and Bayu should use Ketu Dewa (god turban) in Javanese term, not gelung. Jean example is not wayang, and in 3 D object as in statue, I think I remember Balinese depiction on Bayu is without turban (specific to wayang art to differentiate between characters).

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

No, I'm not a hairdresser. I knew that "gelung" was for women, and when I checked my memory before I posted I found all these other hairstyles.

LOL yes in present day gelung is for woman (and some male rockers, artists, etc for that matter) but in the old days man grows their hair long. So in the old days gelung is a valid term also for man. Gelung may be freely translated as ikat/kuncir but with some sort of fold, so ponytail did not count. Anyway, the term is not generally used outside the contexts you already specified.

[tunggulametung]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

So what do you think? Mine seems to have all the attributes of Bhima from what I can gather from searching images on google?

Even the snake around his neck.

I'm certain your keris holder is Bima. It is told that the snake around his neck will bite him to death if he ever lied. The reference that you use is Bima, a Sundanese 3 dimensional puppet.