Keris holder for comment

[tunggulametung]

Bima (wayang) character is rather easy to recognize, at least for me personally. Balinese interpretation of Bima for comparison attached (random internet photos). I'm sorry I do not know whether it is also intended for other weapon or not, maybe not all Balinese keris are as big as we thought (not that showy pawiwahan keris), at least I often see small keris comparable to keris selit in Malay term being worn on perang pandan ceremony.

[A. G. Maisey]

In recent times many Balinese men wear Javanese and other keris to ceremonies because there are simply not enough Balinese keris to go around, and many of the current generation do not own their own keris, so they use whatever they can get, I suspect dress keris owned by their banjar and lent for the ceremony.

Lousy pic and I apologise for it --- digitised from film shot on a p&s --- hopefully you can make out the keris the men are wearing, Javanese. This was Hari Nyepi 2007.

[tunggulametung]

The possibility is endless but my point is not all keris Bali (approximately) uniform in size like one size fits all (person, occasion, etc). I think the attached example is about equal to Solo pendok size.

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by tunggulametung

Bima (wayang) character is rather easy to recognize, at least for me personally. Balinese interpretation of Bima for comparison attached (random internet photos). I'm sorry I do not know whether it is also intended for other weapon or not, maybe not all Balinese keris are as big as we thought (not that showy pawiwahan keris), at least I often see small keris comparable to keris selit in Malay term being worn on perang pandan ceremony.

Thanks Tunggulametung,
I don't think there is any doubt at all that my figure is the same person shown in your examples.
All the attributes seeem to be identical. Thumbnail, moustache, skin colour, hairstyle, costume, fierce expression, snake garland, even the black and white chequered sarong. So if those are Bima, then so is mine.
Thank you for your help, I'm very pleased to know who he is.

Best
Gene

[tunggulametung]

You're welcome Gene. Maybe not a masterpiece but it is better than average as you mention , I think the carver are more than able to do it better (refined) indicated by how he do the face/expression which as far as I know the most difficult part, but for some reasons that is not something he pursue (sometimes the selling price expected is just the same ). Congratulations for the nice keris holder.

[Sajen]

Hi Gene,

agree with the others that it seems that your keris holder is rather recent, this was the reason why I ask for the weight. So most old ones I have seenand handled have been very heavy. And the small hole is an indicator as well for this. But still a nice piece for presentation a small Bali keris.

Regards,

Detlef

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hi Gene,

agree with the others that it seems that your keris holder is rather recent, this was the reason why I ask for the weight. So most old ones I have seenand handled have been very heavy. And the small hole is an indicator as well for this. But still a nice piece for presentation a small Bali keris.

Regards,

Detlef

Hi Detlef,

I agree on the age. Well within a few years or so of Alans estimates, but it's not important as it's not antique 70s/80s It's a very decorative item, I'm rather pleased with it. I might even show you my others

Best
Gene

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by tunggulametung

You're welcome Gene. Maybe not a masterpiece but it is better than average as you mention , I think the carver are more than able to do it better (refined) indicated by how he do the face/expression which as far as I know the most difficult part, but for some reasons that is not something he pursue (sometimes the selling price expected is just the same ). Congratulations for the nice keris holder.

Thats it precisely. No great age but quite well done and great fun to have as part of a display. Which is where he is destined to be. I'll sort through my keris and find a slender one to fit his hand. He'll be happy then.

Best
Gene