Sunggingans

A. G. Maisey · 5th May 2015, 10:10 PM

That little foray into the more serious side of things was both informative and amusing, but I didn't start this thread with the idea of getting too serious, I just wanted to get one of the more entertaining keris forms up for people to see, keris forms that are not very often seen.

So here's another one.Surakarta, ladrangan, motif is what we call "lung-lungan", a specific name for a motif of curling tendrils, "lung" means tendril or shoot.

The base colour of sea blue indicates that it is suited for wear by a penewu.

A. G. Maisey · 13th May 2015, 01:10 AM

David, you queried if there was a Balinese word that was the equivalent of "sunggingan".

I do not speak or understand Balinese, but my niece lives in Bali, I have just now spoken with her husband and he tells me that the equivalent word to "sunggingan" in Balinese is "laburan".

David · 13th May 2015, 05:18 AM

Thanks Alan.

A. G. Maisey · 20th May 2015, 11:33 PM

I now have a copy of the article written by Garrett & Bronwen Solyom, and that was used as a reference by Rens Heringa, as quoted by Gustav in post #23 of this thread.

The correct title of the article is "Notes and Observations on Indonesian Textiles", it was published in "Threads of Tradition" by Joseph Fischer, published by the University of California, which was a catalogue intended to accompany exhibitions held at the Lowie Museum of Anthropology, and the University Art Museum in Berkeley.

It is always useful to look at references, as not infrequently an author may either misinterpret a reference, or manipulate its meaning to suit his own agenda.

Gustav has told us that :-

" Alas-Alasan is described as a "cosmic model" in the essay of Rens Heringa in "Five Centuries of Indonesian Textiles" 2010, which is a quite serious publication."

It would seem that Rens Heringa has used this sentence in the Solyom article as his reference:-

"It appears that these elements might be part of a diagram of a conception of the cosmos"

this was written in discussion of the alas-alasan motif as used in certain specific royal cloths.

In fact, the alas-alasan motif is very frequently encountered in Javanese art, and has many forms of expression, not all of which can be thought of in the same way as the interpretation that the Solyoms were discussing in reference to its use on the specific royal cloths.

It is perhaps a little extreme to use a conjecture, such as was made by the Solyoms, as foundation for the interpretation of a motif that has many forms of expression which occur throughout a culture.

A better understanding of the nature of the alas-alasan motif may perhaps be obtained by a reading of the online version of this article:-

http://www.iiste.org/Journals/index....le/19032/19277

note in particular the source of this article.

Paku Buwono
To further clarify what I wrote in post #24 of this thread on the understanding of the title "Paku Buana" (this can also be transliterated as Paku Buwana, Paku Buwono, Paku Buono, Paku Buana).

In 2004 the Karaton Surakarta published an official book dealing with the Karaton, and endorsed by S.I.S.K.S. Paku Buwono XII. In the glossary of this book the term "Paku Buwono" is defined as:-

"name of the Surakarta royal dynasty: Nail/axis of the world".

The confusion that consistently arises in respect of how the word "buwono" must be understood in this context permeates almost all writings that deal with the Karaton Surakarta, even writings by people who should know better.

The fact of the matter is that the only people who truly know how the term should be understood are people who are high in the Karaton hierarchy, or those who have been taught by one of these people.

Tatyana Dianova · 9th November 2015, 08:46 PM

Another one from Bali, painted gold, red and black. Looks like an older one.
The subject to the back is pretty interesting: looks like a Raksasa and a princess, what can it be really?

Gavin Nugent · 10th November 2015, 12:21 AM

Both carved and painted, does it fall under this umbrella or considered a different kettle of fish?

Gavin

A. G. Maisey · 10th November 2015, 12:56 AM

The word "sungging" means "painting or decoration".

"Sunggingan" means something that is painted.

If its decorated with paint it is sunggingan work, and this can apply to anything, not only scabbards for weapons.

5th May 2015, 10:10 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,019	That little foray into the more serious side of things was both informative and amusing, but I didn't start this thread with the idea of getting too serious, I just wanted to get one of the more entertaining keris forms up for people to see, keris forms that are not very often seen. So here's another one.Surakarta, ladrangan, motif is what we call "lung-lungan", a specific name for a motif of curling tendrils, "lung" means tendril or shoot. The base colour of sea blue indicates that it is suited for wear by a penewu. Attached Images Last edited by A. G. Maisey; 5th May 2015 at 11:33 PM.

9th November 2015, 08:46 PM	#5
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	Another one from Bali, painted gold, red and black. Looks like an older one. The subject to the back is pretty interesting: looks like a Raksasa and a princess, what can it be really? Attached Images

10th November 2015, 12:21 AM	#6
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Carved and painted Both carved and painted, does it fall under this umbrella or considered a different kettle of fish? Gavin Attached Images

13th May 2015, 01:10 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,019	David, you queried if there was a Balinese word that was the equivalent of "sunggingan". I do not speak or understand Balinese, but my niece lives in Bali, I have just now spoken with her husband and he tells me that the equivalent word to "sunggingan" in Balinese is "laburan".

13th May 2015, 05:18 AM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,219	Thanks Alan.

20th May 2015, 11:33 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,019	I now have a copy of the article written by Garrett & Bronwen Solyom, and that was used as a reference by Rens Heringa, as quoted by Gustav in post #23 of this thread. The correct title of the article is "Notes and Observations on Indonesian Textiles", it was published in "Threads of Tradition" by Joseph Fischer, published by the University of California, which was a catalogue intended to accompany exhibitions held at the Lowie Museum of Anthropology, and the University Art Museum in Berkeley. It is always useful to look at references, as not infrequently an author may either misinterpret a reference, or manipulate its meaning to suit his own agenda. Gustav has told us that :- " Alas-Alasan is described as a "cosmic model" in the essay of Rens Heringa in "Five Centuries of Indonesian Textiles" 2010, which is a quite serious publication." It would seem that Rens Heringa has used this sentence in the Solyom article as his reference:- "It appears that these elements might be part of a diagram of a conception of the cosmos" this was written in discussion of the alas-alasan motif as used in certain specific royal cloths. In fact, the alas-alasan motif is very frequently encountered in Javanese art, and has many forms of expression, not all of which can be thought of in the same way as the interpretation that the Solyoms were discussing in reference to its use on the specific royal cloths. It is perhaps a little extreme to use a conjecture, such as was made by the Solyoms, as foundation for the interpretation of a motif that has many forms of expression which occur throughout a culture. A better understanding of the nature of the alas-alasan motif may perhaps be obtained by a reading of the online version of this article:- http://www.iiste.org/Journals/index....le/19032/19277 note in particular the source of this article. Paku Buwono To further clarify what I wrote in post #24 of this thread on the understanding of the title "Paku Buana" (this can also be transliterated as Paku Buwana, Paku Buwono, Paku Buono, Paku Buana). In 2004 the Karaton Surakarta published an official book dealing with the Karaton, and endorsed by S.I.S.K.S. Paku Buwono XII. In the glossary of this book the term "Paku Buwono" is defined as:- "name of the Surakarta royal dynasty: Nail/axis of the world". The confusion that consistently arises in respect of how the word "buwono" must be understood in this context permeates almost all writings that deal with the Karaton Surakarta, even writings by people who should know better. The fact of the matter is that the only people who truly know how the term should be understood are people who are high in the Karaton hierarchy, or those who have been taught by one of these people.

10th November 2015, 12:56 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,019	The word "sungging" means "painting or decoration". "Sunggingan" means something that is painted. If its decorated with paint it is sunggingan work, and this can apply to anything, not only scabbards for weapons.