a Sewar cross-dressing as a Badik?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Moshah

Hi Detlef,

Thanks for the tips.

Well, the hilt looks like molar but it is akar bahar indeed. It is light, and there is a small hole on top which nesting some jagged thick, hairy-kind of material like braided ropes. I don't think molar would produce this.

White akar bahar was indeed even harder to find than sea ivory IMHO. It could be a pleasant surprise if it was an older hilt. Since it was brand new, it would be less valuable and "inanimate" - in terms of the Malay folks belief of it's otherworldly perks...

You hold it in your hands and when you know both materials I have no doubt that you are correct. Also when it is new it's still a very rare material.

[Moshah]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Also when it is new it's still a very rare material.

Indeed it is but sea ivory still commands higher price over here


Your 4th badik from the left, was it sea ivory? I can see a slight pinggang / waist somewhere near the base before it started to get back to shape until tapering at the tip. Is that true or just my imagination?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Moshah

Your 4th badik from the left, was it sea ivory? I can see a slight pinggang / waist somewhere near the base before it started to get back to shape until tapering at the tip. Is that true or just my imagination?

I think what you see is imagination. And it is what I believe hippo ivory. See the close up from the hilt.

Regards,

Detlef

[T. Koch]

It also looks like the concentric layers are visible in the uppermost part of above picture? In this case I agree with you Detlef - certainly looks like hippo tusk. The size and curvature also fits for a tusk split down the middle and worked into a hilt.

The patina is delicious btw!


- Thor

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by T. Koch

It also looks like the concentric layers are visible in the uppermost part of above picture? In this case I agree with you Detlef - certainly looks like hippo tusk. The size and curvature also fits for a tusk split down the middle and worked into a hilt.

The patina is delicious btw!


- Thor

Oh, first time we have agreement in the ivory question! And yes, the patina is really great and the pamor of the blade very fine, it is the best piece of my badik collection. I bought it many years ago in Indonesia to a time where I was mainly interested to keris.

Regards,

Detlef

[Moshah]

Originally Posted by Sajen

And yes, the patina is really great and the pamor of the blade very fine, it is the best piece of my badik collection.

I think the pamor make me think that way.

The blade, the dress and especially the hilt was really a feast to my eye!

One note on the hippo hilt - it was not easy to find one over here, as (i) it is rare all right and (ii) it was used in traditional medicine and shamanism, so they were really sought-after by many.

Actually, I've been told that all part of hippo would worth something in traditional medicine, so they never left anything behind...

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Moshah

I think the pamor make me think that way.

The blade, the dress and especially the hilt was really a feast to my eye!

One note on the hippo hilt - it was not easy to find one over here, as (i) it is rare all right and (ii) it was used in traditional medicine and shamanism, so they were really sought-after by many.

Actually, I've been told that all part of hippo would worth something in traditional medicine, so they never left anything behind...

Yes, I know as well about this. This is the reason why you can find keris hilts from this material where is something cratched awaway. Some Bugis dealer told me this long time ago.