Next keris from Polish Museum

BluErf · 11th June 2005, 02:48 AM

I suspect this is an early Javanese piece. The handle, according to Martin Kerner's book, is veiled Durga. The proportions is not quite Balinese, especially with the bottom which seemed to fit a mendak than a Balinese 'hilt receptacle' (I don't know the term for that big round thing studded with gems

). But a Hindu Goddess would suggest a pre-Islamic era.

The greneng is the 'out-of-blade-profile' type. Later-day Javanese kerises usually have 'within-the-blade-profile' kind of greneng. And the overall execution of the blade is something reminiscent of the 16th century Javanese kerises in Karsten Jensen's book. If I may add, the execution of this keris is somewhat between a Balinese blade and a N Malayan blade. Both were supposed to have descended from early Javanese keris forms, and retained much of those characteristics. Interestingly enough, Javanese keris forms lost most of those old-style aesthetics and seemed to have moved inexorably into the realm of pamor, pamor, pamor.

BluErf · 11th June 2005, 02:58 AM

Attached examples of 2 Balinese and 1 N Malayan "out-of-blade-profile" greneng and 2 Javanese "within-the-blade-profile" greneng.

BluErf · 11th June 2005, 03:19 AM

I found a 'brother keris' in Karsten Jensen's book. Note the Shiva hilt. Very similar to the Durga hilt here. Dated to 16th/17th century.

wolviex · 11th June 2005, 07:31 AM

Thank you for kind words

BluErf and nechesh: thank you for your opinions and photos.

Few answers: there is no sheath

I wouldn't be surprised if it was older than 19th century, but I'm not assuming it either. This kris is from the very, very good collection, of one of the famous noble Polish family. "Unfortunately" they gathered mainly European firearms and some Polish weapons, but you can find there also few other things, like this keris. Because they didn't left any clues about these pieces, I can't tell you how they purchased them and when.

Regards!

Henk · 11th June 2005, 09:56 AM

I would say that the blade of this keris is balinese. The ukiran is lovely and I believe together with the mendak javanese. The crack in the ukiran probably ocurred because the peksi was winded with to much cloth to secure the ukiran. When you still push the ukiran on the peksi it will crack.
Nevertheless it is a beautifull ukiran. Maybe you can remove it and remove some cloth. Probably the ukiran will fit better. Or find an balinese ukiran and display the mendak with ukiran as a javanese piece.

11th June 2005, 02:58 AM	#2
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Attached examples of 2 Balinese and 1 N Malayan "out-of-blade-profile" greneng and 2 Javanese "within-the-blade-profile" greneng. Attached Images

11th June 2005, 03:19 AM	#3
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	I found a 'brother keris' in Karsten Jensen's book. Note the Shiva hilt. Very similar to the Durga hilt here. Dated to 16th/17th century. Attached Images

11th June 2005, 02:48 AM	#1
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	I suspect this is an early Javanese piece. The handle, according to Martin Kerner's book, is veiled Durga. The proportions is not quite Balinese, especially with the bottom which seemed to fit a mendak than a Balinese 'hilt receptacle' (I don't know the term for that big round thing studded with gems ). But a Hindu Goddess would suggest a pre-Islamic era. The greneng is the 'out-of-blade-profile' type. Later-day Javanese kerises usually have 'within-the-blade-profile' kind of greneng. And the overall execution of the blade is something reminiscent of the 16th century Javanese kerises in Karsten Jensen's book. If I may add, the execution of this keris is somewhat between a Balinese blade and a N Malayan blade. Both were supposed to have descended from early Javanese keris forms, and retained much of those characteristics. Interestingly enough, Javanese keris forms lost most of those old-style aesthetics and seemed to have moved inexorably into the realm of pamor, pamor, pamor.

11th June 2005, 07:31 AM	#4
wolviex Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Poland, Krakow Posts: 418	Thank you for kind words BluErf and nechesh: thank you for your opinions and photos. Few answers: there is no sheath I wouldn't be surprised if it was older than 19th century, but I'm not assuming it either. This kris is from the very, very good collection, of one of the famous noble Polish family. "Unfortunately" they gathered mainly European firearms and some Polish weapons, but you can find there also few other things, like this keris. Because they didn't left any clues about these pieces, I can't tell you how they purchased them and when. Regards!

11th June 2005, 09:56 AM	#5
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	I would say that the blade of this keris is balinese. The ukiran is lovely and I believe together with the mendak javanese. The crack in the ukiran probably ocurred because the peksi was winded with to much cloth to secure the ukiran. When you still push the ukiran on the peksi it will crack. Nevertheless it is a beautifull ukiran. Maybe you can remove it and remove some cloth. Probably the ukiran will fit better. Or find an balinese ukiran and display the mendak with ukiran as a javanese piece.