Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Sheath symbolism, does the concept of pamor extend also too wooden patterns?

milandro · 18th March 2022, 10:09 AM

This is in all probability a rookie question and of course, please be gentle. I am here to learn.

I have bought a small kris lately mostly on account of its warangka, gandar and ukiran. They look very slik and smooth.

The blade has yet to reveal its secrets since it is rather rusty and otherwise the pamor which is just faintly showing under the layers caused by years of neglect seems to be one of few ( can’t say how many) wavy parallel lines , length-wise on a 9 luk fairly small kris.

Again this was said to have been brought back by a Dutch soldier after the independence war.

Another thing is that , and I only found out when I received it although I did have some idea that it may be so from the not so detailed pictures that were provided from the seller. this is my first kris (although I knew that they existed) where the hilt is secured in place by human hair.

My question is whether the pattern of the wood has equal symbolic significance and can be “ read” in this light ( pamor pattern) accordingly?

The pattern resembles what , if it was a blade may be “ Gajah Gelaar”.

I have added a mendak ( not shown these are the pics the seller put to me) and will have the blade cleaned and etched at a later time.

18th March 2022, 10:09 AM	#1
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 430	Sheath symbolism, does the concept of pamor extend also too wooden sheath patterns? This is in all probability a rookie question and of course, please be gentle. I am here to learn. I have bought a small kris lately mostly on account of its warangka, gandar and ukiran. They look very slik and smooth. The blade has yet to reveal its secrets since it is rather rusty and otherwise the pamor which is just faintly showing under the layers caused by years of neglect seems to be one of few ( can’t say how many) wavy parallel lines , length-wise on a 9 luk fairly small kris. Again this was said to have been brought back by a Dutch soldier after the independence war. Another thing is that , and I only found out when I received it although I did have some idea that it may be so from the not so detailed pictures that were provided from the seller. this is my first kris (although I knew that they existed) where the hilt is secured in place by human hair. My question is whether the pattern of the wood has equal symbolic significance and can be “ read” in this light ( pamor pattern) accordingly? The pattern resembles what , if it was a blade may be “ Gajah Gelaar”. I have added a mendak ( not shown these are the pics the seller put to me) and will have the blade cleaned and etched at a later time. Attached Images Last edited by milandro; 18th March 2022 at 11:40 AM.