Unknown Sumatran keris motif for identification - Singa Barong or Naga
 

Dear forum members,

I have an unknown sumatran keris motif for identification. Not sure whether it is a singa barong or naga? There are two baldes here. I think that one of these is in Minangkabau dress, while the other is in Palembang dress.

Two rustic naga motifs IMO but looking authentic, especially the Palembang blade.
Regards

Quite clearly a naga in my book - the larger one even has scales and a snake-like body (albeit cut short)...

I'd go for Lampung and eastern Sumatra: probably Riau hinterlands with Minang influence (possibly Indragiri?).

Regards,
Kai

Dear Kai,

Please kindly advise on the title of the reference book.

Regards, Alexis

I probably shouldn't speak for Kai, but "in my book" is an English express meaning something like "from my personal experience". I don't believe Kai was speaking of an actual reference book here. ;)

Dear Alexis,

"In my book" is a possibly somewhat old-fashioned British(?) phrase/idiom for IMHO. Thus, no pertinent reference book of mine to cite, I'm afraid... ;)

Regards,
Kai

David beat me to it... :D

Dear collectors,

apologies for the misunderstanding. The reason why I originally thought that the motif could possibly be a singa barong, is that it may resemble one when viewed at a certain angle. I hereby enclose a picture.

Hello Alexis,

If you allow for lots of Chinese foo dog influence... ;)

IMHO clearly a naga though. Another variant to add to your list on the other thread!

Regards,
Kai

Hello Alexis,

you don't mentioned any measurements from the blades but I think they are rather short. When I am correct I think you have some sort of jimat keris from two different regions there. I have a similar but much shorter (I think) from Java in my collection, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...6&postcount=10
taken from this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=sajen

Regards,
Detlef

Dear Detlef, Thanks you are right. There are similar motifs found on small Javanese talisman blades. I enclose some pictures.