Panjang for discussion

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by BluErf

Typically, we only see tapak kuda hilts on keris panjangs in old photos. Jawa demam hilts on panjangs were very uncommon. I'm not sure if they were put on panjang blades by later dealers or collectors.

One way to look at it is by seeing how a keris panjang is used. The panjang is held with the tip towards the ground, with the fore finger and thumb gripping the bent 'head' of the tapak kuda hilt, and the remaining 3 fingers wrapped round the shaft of the hilt. A jawa demam hilt may be less ergonomic when gripped this way because it was designed for a grip where the thumb and fore finger gripped the picetan of the keris. Of course, there is no stopping a person from gripping a jawa demam hilt placed on a panjang as if it were a tapak kuda hilt, except maybe it would be less comfortable.

The sheath form is simply mindblowing! The maker had great 'air tangan' (literally "hand water", or grasp of flowing aesthetics), and the silver oversheaths are very fine too - notice how confidently the thin but swirling tendrils are executed.

The blade looks like a panjang to me. Bahari refers to the same blade form, but typically less than 12 inches long. 12-16inches would fall into the anak alang range, and anything more than 16 inches would be a panjang in my opinion (though some people would say 18 inches).

I have no hard basis of judging the origin of this panjang, but I would say the hilt is Sumatran, and so is the motif on the silver oversheath. Actually, the hilt looks Minang to me, which could put the keris in Central Sumatra. The blade itself looks more Sumatran than Malay too. Probably a Sumatran panjang, though not sure whether it's North, Central or South.

Whilst studying a couple of keris I have decided to keep I came across this posting.
For those of you who know this collection I have here, it has great provenance and has remained untouched for over 100 years give or take a few years and I believe it was collected on the ground in Sumatra in the 1880/90s and most likely with some local knowledge as there are some rarities in the collection where at first glance in their previous life this would not be noticed.
One Panjang shows the Jawa demam hilt so I think it can be said looking at the consistancy in timber patterns and patina I would suggest that they are for the most part a true marriage and not put togethers, at least these pieces.
Further to this I note the Keris with the Tapak Kuda hilt is one of those borderline mysteries, it has a 17inch blade but prior to measuring it, Michael and Kai have noted, at first glance it appears to be a Anak Alang, but within the scope presented here it could be a Panjang but can still be called a long Anak Alang.
Some images for consideration and a big thank you to Michael and Kai and I am sure both know I am a convert to the beauty, effectivness and quality of these Sumatran weapons.
I look forward to any comments or details that may be relevant since the topic is about 4 years old now and I am sure more mysteries have been solved over this time.

Gav