Keris Handle / Hilts Appreciation

A. G. Maisey · 29th April 2011, 02:44 PM

This is an interesting topic Rasjid.

When a tukang jejeran makes a handle, he follows a very strict form and pattern. He will have a blak that the handle must fit with the most minute perfection. He may have inherited this blak from somebody in his family, or he may have developed it himself, but this blak will govern every handle that he produces, and will give it its overall form when it is viewed from both the side and the back. That form will create an impression in the knowledgeable viewer, and the impression will in most cases be pretty similar in all knowledgeable viewers. The impression created is the first step in appraisal of the handle.

Just as a blade can create an impression of bravery, or strength, or weakness, a handle can do the same thing, however as with the blade, the knowledge needed to interpret the feeling created by a handle needs an understanding and depth of knowledge that cannot be transferred in the absence of physical examples of handles.

Then there is the depth and symmetry of the cecekan, which again must follow a very strict form.

Is the base of the handle recessed to accept the mendak? Generally speaking, the base of a good quality Surakarta hilt will be recessed.

What is the type of finish that has been used?

French polish, traditional varnish, modern synthetic varnish, or has it been burnished by rubbing with a boar's tusk, or piece of bone?

Each of these finishes is of a different level of quality.

Then we have the type of wood that has been used. Tayuman is generally accepted as perhaps the most desirable, but there are many other woods that can be used, and a lower ranked wood that has desirable grain, or unusual features, could well outrank an ordinary piece of tayuman.

The appraisal of a handle can be almost as complex as the appraisal of a blade, and in my opinion can only be learnt in the same way, that is , by lengthy personal instruction from knowledgeable teachers.

However, you did not ask how to appraise a hilt, you set the parameter that all handles under consideration would be of the same material (tayuman), and of the same quality of workmanship.However, I don't think that it can be this simple.

Firstly we need to establish exactly what the features of a "good" quality handle are, for if we do not, the judgment of quality becomes subjective, rather than objective.

The flame grain in the bottom handle could be called "chatoyant" in English, "nginden" in Javanese.

rasjid · 29th April 2011, 05:10 PM

Thank you Gentlemen,

@Detlef: If you have only one choice to own, which one?

The selut is a bad example, because we are talking about the wood material only.

@Alan: Yes, I agree with your opinion and thank you for the word "nginden". (Thats the word I was looking for... ). Its a lot more into it, thats why I'm asking about the wood itself only. All Tayuman, same garap, same quality of carving but we all know that we dont have printing machine at home (and plus the finance controller at home

) so we have to choose one only and of course the best hilt for our best keris.

and again, my examples are not the #1 around (but this is all I have for example), so which character of wood do you consider to be the best?

I'm looking for personal opinion here and I'm also asking what is the choice for king or prince hilts handle? (I dont have the luxury to handle or own one).... yet

Sajen · 29th April 2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasjid

Thank you Gentlemen,

@Detlef: If you have only one choice to own, which one?

The selut is a bad example, because we are talking about the wood material only.

I'm looking for personal opinion here and I'm also asking what is the choice for king or prince hilts handle? (I dont have the luxury to handle or own one).... yet

Rasjid,

you ask a simple question which is to answer very difficult.

Maybe you can post a picture of the sheath from the keris to which you want to attach the hilt? I think that this is very important that the hilt matching together with the sheath. I personal like the one with nginden but like I write, this hilt maybe don't look good together with the sheath.

Regards,

Detlef

rasjid · 29th April 2011, 07:19 PM

Hi again Detlef,

All my hilts already have their own sheats, I just want to know the general preference which type of wood material is the best according to keris owner.

rasjid

David · 29th April 2011, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasjid

Hi again Detlef,

All my hilts already have their own sheats, I just want to know the general preference which type of wood material is the best according to keris owner.

rasjid

This is understood Rasjid, but i think that Detlef raises a good point. The hilt must work as an ensemble with the wrongko so the type of wood preferable must be at least partially determined by the wood of the wrongko. I think that like the blade itself, every hilt is going to have it's own character which may well be determined by many other factors other than the type of wood used. That character must also work with the blade as well as the sheath.
When i look at this type of planar hilt i generally first look for good carving and execution. I appreciate a deep, well cut cecekan, especially when parts of the carving contain pierced through areas. I love chatoyant (nginden) woods, but it wouldn't necessarily be the determining factor for choosing the ukiran. The next hilt, for instance, might have a more interesting grain ('puser' or otherwise) or i might prefer the coloring. I think that there are just too many factors involved to simplify how any particular person would choose from a group of equally carved hilts.

A. G. Maisey · 30th April 2011, 12:03 AM

Rasjid, if we are to only consider the material, my choice would invariably be for the nginden grain.

Always.

However, and this is the point I was trying to make in my first post, if we are to consider the entire hilt, then we need to establish the parameters of quality in this type of hilt:- a hilt can be very well carved and finished, but when considered from a knowledgeable Javanese point of view, it might be a total failure.

Detlef and David have raised the question of the hilt as a part of an ensemble, and although I understand that this question is not relevant to your objective, it is something that perhaps could be considered.

There is yet another consideration, and that is the age, rank, character and body form of the person who will wear the keris, but again, this has nothing at all to do with your original question.

So --- if we just limit this to material:- gimme the nginden.

rasjid · 30th April 2011, 06:35 AM

Yes David, the question is asking personal preference about the wood material only where other objects are not relevant (same quality, same age, etc); as Alan said: we limit to the material itself and we are talking Tayuman. This is not a tricky question, just which one you like - there is not right or wrong answer.
I agree with all the discussion in regards keris hilts on the previous post, other than mention by Alan and Detlef, your self, also colour of the hilts correspondent to the worongko colour, the height suitability with gayaman/ladrang or even personal preference by the hilt maker as well as mentioned by Alan.

Years ago, I understand that most Indonesian they prefer and willing to pay high price for the Blue Sapphire with bright stars, sometimes they told us: the brighter the stars the better (which is true if your stone is not more solid colour NOT crystal clear stone). But when you go to the higher level of appreciation, where you use the technology, certified stones, where mostly overseas / international market used than we are surprised that the Crystall clear (see through) with deep blue color are the choice and the best price for international market. If you are talking rubys, it has to be red deep colour (no pinky, no orange colour within the Red ruby color) but crystal clear and of course no clouds, no cracked, no bubble, etc. etc...

May be others can just tell us what is their material preference and if possible some other readers also have the luxury to own or at least seen what's choosen by the King/Prince or who ever in Kraton their choosen material? So we all learn as well?

29th April 2011, 05:10 PM	#2
rasjid Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Jakarta - Indonesia Posts: 114	Hilts Appraisal Thank you Gentlemen, @Detlef: If you have only one choice to own, which one? The selut is a bad example, because we are talking about the wood material only. @Alan: Yes, I agree with your opinion and thank you for the word "nginden". (Thats the word I was looking for... ). Its a lot more into it, thats why I'm asking about the wood itself only. All Tayuman, same garap, same quality of carving but we all know that we dont have printing machine at home (and plus the finance controller at home ) so we have to choose one only and of course the best hilt for our best keris. and again, my examples are not the #1 around (but this is all I have for example), so which character of wood do you consider to be the best? I'm looking for personal opinion here and I'm also asking what is the choice for king or prince hilts handle? (I dont have the luxury to handle or own one).... yet

29th April 2011, 02:44 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	This is an interesting topic Rasjid. When a tukang jejeran makes a handle, he follows a very strict form and pattern. He will have a blak that the handle must fit with the most minute perfection. He may have inherited this blak from somebody in his family, or he may have developed it himself, but this blak will govern every handle that he produces, and will give it its overall form when it is viewed from both the side and the back. That form will create an impression in the knowledgeable viewer, and the impression will in most cases be pretty similar in all knowledgeable viewers. The impression created is the first step in appraisal of the handle. Just as a blade can create an impression of bravery, or strength, or weakness, a handle can do the same thing, however as with the blade, the knowledge needed to interpret the feeling created by a handle needs an understanding and depth of knowledge that cannot be transferred in the absence of physical examples of handles. Then there is the depth and symmetry of the cecekan, which again must follow a very strict form. Is the base of the handle recessed to accept the mendak? Generally speaking, the base of a good quality Surakarta hilt will be recessed. What is the type of finish that has been used? French polish, traditional varnish, modern synthetic varnish, or has it been burnished by rubbing with a boar's tusk, or piece of bone? Each of these finishes is of a different level of quality. Then we have the type of wood that has been used. Tayuman is generally accepted as perhaps the most desirable, but there are many other woods that can be used, and a lower ranked wood that has desirable grain, or unusual features, could well outrank an ordinary piece of tayuman. The appraisal of a handle can be almost as complex as the appraisal of a blade, and in my opinion can only be learnt in the same way, that is , by lengthy personal instruction from knowledgeable teachers. However, you did not ask how to appraise a hilt, you set the parameter that all handles under consideration would be of the same material (tayuman), and of the same quality of workmanship.However, I don't think that it can be this simple. Firstly we need to establish exactly what the features of a "good" quality handle are, for if we do not, the judgment of quality becomes subjective, rather than objective. The flame grain in the bottom handle could be called "chatoyant" in English, "nginden" in Javanese.

29th April 2011, 07:19 PM	#4
rasjid Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Jakarta - Indonesia Posts: 114	Hi again Detlef, All my hilts already have their own sheats, I just want to know the general preference which type of wood material is the best according to keris owner. rasjid

30th April 2011, 12:03 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Rasjid, if we are to only consider the material, my choice would invariably be for the nginden grain. Always. However, and this is the point I was trying to make in my first post, if we are to consider the entire hilt, then we need to establish the parameters of quality in this type of hilt:- a hilt can be very well carved and finished, but when considered from a knowledgeable Javanese point of view, it might be a total failure. Detlef and David have raised the question of the hilt as a part of an ensemble, and although I understand that this question is not relevant to your objective, it is something that perhaps could be considered. There is yet another consideration, and that is the age, rank, character and body form of the person who will wear the keris, but again, this has nothing at all to do with your original question. So --- if we just limit this to material:- gimme the nginden.

30th April 2011, 06:35 AM	#7
rasjid Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Jakarta - Indonesia Posts: 114	Yes David, the question is asking personal preference about the wood material only where other objects are not relevant (same quality, same age, etc); as Alan said: we limit to the material itself and we are talking Tayuman. This is not a tricky question, just which one you like - there is not right or wrong answer. I agree with all the discussion in regards keris hilts on the previous post, other than mention by Alan and Detlef, your self, also colour of the hilts correspondent to the worongko colour, the height suitability with gayaman/ladrang or even personal preference by the hilt maker as well as mentioned by Alan. Years ago, I understand that most Indonesian they prefer and willing to pay high price for the Blue Sapphire with bright stars, sometimes they told us: the brighter the stars the better (which is true if your stone is not more solid colour NOT crystal clear stone). But when you go to the higher level of appreciation, where you use the technology, certified stones, where mostly overseas / international market used than we are surprised that the Crystall clear (see through) with deep blue color are the choice and the best price for international market. If you are talking rubys, it has to be red deep colour (no pinky, no orange colour within the Red ruby color) but crystal clear and of course no clouds, no cracked, no bubble, etc. etc... May be others can just tell us what is their material preference and if possible some other readers also have the luxury to own or at least seen what's choosen by the King/Prince or who ever in Kraton their choosen material? So we all learn as well?