Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Any Jewelry, post: 9101381, member: 2844&quot;]He looks like Merdah to me, with that big nose and belly.</p><p>Merdah is the Balinese version of Togog, a character of the Javanese Wayang Kulit puppet theatre.</p><p>Wayang stories are often serious, but they also have comical characters called the Panakawan, who ridicule authority. The boss of the Panakawan is Semar, &#039;divine clown&#039; and patron of Java. Semar imparts wisdom in a silly way. Togog is his brother.</p><p><br /></p><p>When Bali was colonised by the East Javanese Majapahit empire, East Javanese customs and culture were introduced, including Wayang and many of its characters. Many names and appearances were changed, which is how Semar became Twalen, and Togog became Merdah.</p><p><br /></p><p>When the Majapahit empire fell, the Javanese governors stayed in Bali and became kings. Some of these kings colonised Lombok, which is why you can find Balinese culture in parts of Lombok.</p><p>That Lombok Balinese culture is not Sasak culture, and the keris is not a native Sasak dagger. The Sasak have their own ceremonial knives.</p><p>Some Sasak have adopted some Balinese customs though, like wearing a keris on special occasions.</p><p><br /></p><p>As far as I know, the keris hilt carvers on Lombok are ethnically Balinese. There are currently some very good hilt carvers on Lombok.</p><p><br /></p><p>Are you sure they were antique? The one in your photo isn&#039;t antique. It is only one small photo, but as far as I can see it is mid-20th century at the earliest.</p><p><br /></p><p>Indonesians (and many other Asians) often have a different concept of antique, especially in the tourist areas. Old is called antique, and antique is called Majapahit, even if it was made many centuries after the Majapahit empire.<img src="styles/default/xenforo/smilies/wink.png" class="mceSmilie" alt=";)" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Togogan (&quot;statue&quot;) keris hilts are always charming and decorative. Most togogans in the market are not antique, but that doesn&#039;t matter to most buyers, they go for the decorative quality.</p><p>You have to watch out though, the Balinese also make very convincing resin copies, which are sold worldwide. Usually as copies, but there are always dishonest sellers.</p><p>Whether the ones you saw are a good investment, depends on if they are handcarved wood, how much the seller asked for them, and if you want them for yourself or for resale.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in