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The following images track the historical development of the tajong hilt form. The research for this section is the work of Nik Rashidin Nik Hussein. Nik Rashidin dedicated much of the last 20 years to researching and documenting the tajong form. Currently the ages of these pieces are Nik Rashidin's estimates based on features of the hilts. Plans are still underway to send samples of the first two pieces for carbon-14 dating to more accurately determine their ages. I will update this page if and when that data becomes available.
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Nik Din believed that this is probably the earliest representation of the tajong hilt form. You can see quite clearly that the tajong is squatting on a lotus pedestal. Note the clearly defined arm grasping the knee and the foot complete with an anklet. Like the coteng this piece lacks a beard but otherwise conforms more closely to the tajong form. Kemuning, ca. 17th C.
This piece more closely resembles the coteng form and lacks the refinement more common to later forms. Both of these early pieces lack a beard. Thus it seems likely that the forms of both the tajong and coteng have a common ancestry and that only later on did the two forms develop their own distinct features. Like the hilt above this piece believed to be very early. Note the much more recently fitted suasa pedestal. Like the first piece this hilt has been painted with a modern shellac and has yet to be properly restored. Collection of Norhaiza Noordin, Kemuning, ca. 17th C.
This piece shows the further development of the tajong form. The arms and feet of this piece are still clearly defined and you will also note the increasing refinement of the carving in the piece. This piece has a fairly simple beard, a feature which the coteng did not develop. This piece also illustrates another important aspect of the tajong hilt. The delicate nature of the nose on these hilts meant that many have had their end broken off and been repaired as is clearly the case in this piece. This probably also accounts for the origin of the metal sheathing found on many of the noses of tajong hilts. Collection of Nik Rashidin, kemuning, ca. 18th C.
The anthropomorphic features in this piece are increasingly abstract but still visible. This indicates that the age of this piece is somewhat later than the first two pieces. You will also note the increasing elaborateness of the beard. Collection of Nik Rashidin, kemuning, ca. 19th C.
This piece was collected in Pattani and shows a further increase in the level of refinement. The limbs are only barely discernable having been disguised by the heavy floral motif carvings. The dark color of the wood in this piece is said to denote aggression. Collection of Nik Rashidin, kenaung, ca. mid-19th C.
This tajong hilt is representative of more recent pieces. Heavy floral carvings have completely effaced the anthropomorphic features of the deity figure. Collection of Nik Rashidin, kemuning, ca. late-19th early 20th C.