Share your favorites on Show & Tell

Old Coin Figure~Tied, Embellished~totally fascinating!

In Folk Art > Show & Tell and Asian > Show & Tell.
Asian Antiques9470 of 10167I have no idea what this is.Japanese Items
4
Love it
0
Like it

auraaura loves this.
tom61375tom61375 loves this.
michelleamieuxmichelleamieux loves this.
vetraio50vetraio50 loves this.
See 2 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 12 years ago

    Budek
    (313 items)

    Wonderful old figure made of coins connected in a network of knots.
    Asian face, some other material forming what look like wings, a small carved cone on the front rising from a scalloped bib,( also carved )
    Very cool indeed!
    I don't know where it was made, or the age of it, but my guess is that it's a very old piece.
    I hope that someone else finds it interesting.
    take care,
    T

    Unsolved Mystery

    Help us close this case. Add your knowledge below.

    logo
    Folk Art
    See all
    Antique SARAH MORRIS 1837 Folk Art Sampler Prayer Poem Adam & Eve, Flowers Trees
    Antique SARAH MORRIS 1837 Folk Art ...
    $268
    PRIMITIVE FLOUR SACK Vintage Rustic Feedsack Country Home Feed Sack Folk Art
    PRIMITIVE FLOUR SACK Vintage Rustic...
    $13
    19thC Antique 1843 HandCarved Folk Art Cane American Eagles Animals Mythological
    19thC Antique 1843 HandCarved Folk ...
    $304
    Primitive Rustic Miniature Chest Document Box - Folk Art
    Primitive Rustic Miniature Chest Do...
    $80
    logo
    Antique SARAH MORRIS 1837 Folk Art Sampler Prayer Poem Adam & Eve, Flowers Trees
    Antique SARAH MORRIS 1837 Folk Art ...
    $268
    See all

    Comments

    1. vetraio50 vetraio50, 12 years ago
      Hi Budek!
      I saw the image and I saw Bali!
      I look at the face on the"coin doll" and I thought Bali!
      It looks like a male image.
      The wooden "wings" say Bali too!
      http://www.murnis.com/onlineshop/coinstatues/index.htm
      "Chinese kepeng coins were circulating in Bali in the 7th and 8th centuries. They are sold in stringed bundles of 200, about 12 cm across. Both sides are inscribed. One side has Chinese characters.
      The coins are used as offerings on special occasions such as Balinese birthdays, which take place every 210 days, weddings, burials and cremations. They are also used as decorations for temples and shrines. The oldest kepengs that have been found were cast during the Tang dynasty: 618-907 AD."

      There's a Worthpoint description: "Balinese Prayer Coin Statue of Batara Sedana, The God of Wealth - made from a couple of hundred ancient Chinese kepengs. Base, face, hands are made from carved sandalwood. Statue stands 15" tall and weighs 3lbs.
      The kepeng, as a monetary symbol is sometimes used in the making of a coin statue of Batara Sedana, the god of wealth and the husband of Sri, the goddess of agriculture. These two gods have a shrine addressed to them in every Balinese family temple and home. Families keep the statue of Sedana as a token of wealth, as the word Sedana originates from dana, meaning wealth.
      The traditional form of Balinese money is the kepeng, also called pis bolong. The word pis must be a shortened version of rupies, the legal tender of Indianized countries for centuries, while bolong, meaning hollow, denotes its peculiar shape, which is round and flat with a hole in the center. The kepeng is of Chinese origin, though, as apparent from the characters that show on the face of the coin."

      http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/balinese-bali-god-of-wealth-statue-ancient-kepeng

      Notice the hook for offerings at his feet!
      I'll have a punt and say it is an image of Betara Sedana!
    2. michelleamieux michelleamieux, 12 years ago
      This is absolutely fabulous and does seem to scream old Bali, it is phenomenal, and considering your description, it appears to be very much what you said, a Betara Sedana. I have several newer bali pieces, but this is unlike anything I've ever seen. I would also take a punt that it is VERY old...but I may not be the best punter anymore!!! Thank you for posting this unique and rare treasure!, Mich

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.