| Ceremonial Balinese axe (Kapak Istiadat Bali Perak)
representing the demon king Rawana, the chief of the Raksasas, abductor of Rama's wife, the lovely
Sita. Iron open work with a sharp edge, enriched with fine inlay of silver wire koftgari. Henry Brownrigg describes the inlay process (in "Bettel cutters"): "The iron is first covered with resin glue, grooves are cut into the metal with sharp chisels, and small teeth cut in the sides of the groove. Silver wire is inserted into the groove, and the whole surface then hammered so that the teeth hold the inlay in position." Iron tang inserted in a wooden shaft and a copper ferrule. According to the Klungkung museum (Inv n°03.38.39), the Blakas Pengentas is used in cremation ceremonies to cut the binding rope to free the soul from the dead body and to open the tie of the buffalo statue to put the body inside for the cremation. |
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