Keris Coteng

[maxbliss888]

This Coteng has a straight blade..For those who prefers a stronger blade..

[maxbliss888]

Day light photo

[maxbliss888]

Has any one seen this Coteng wooden handle? It looks like a Tajong but it's a Coteng

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by maxbliss888

Has any one seen this Coteng wooden handle? It looks like a Tajong but it's a Coteng

Very nice Coteng handle, maybe a transition piece.

Regards,
Detlef

[maxbliss888]

A fellow collector's Coteng

[kai]

Hello Max,

Has any one seen this Coteng wooden handle? It looks like a Tajong but it's a Coteng

To me this looks like a nice, probably early hulu Tajong: while really small, it does have a ridge below its chin which clearly represents a beard despite being smaller than usual (as compared with typical hulu Tajong).

AFAIK, hulu Coteng never have a beard and the typical flat head. The hilt you show has a considerably heavier head (again like typical hulu Tajong).

What is the reasoning of your local contacts? (Assuming they favor the classification of this hilt as hulu Coteng?)

Regards,
Kai

[maxbliss888]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Max,


To me this looks like a nice, probably early hulu Tajong: while really small, it does have a ridge below its chin which clearly represents a beard despite being smaller than usual (as compared with typical hulu Tajong).

AFAIK, hulu Coteng never have a beard and the typical flat head. The hilt you show has a considerably heavier head (again like typical hulu Tajong).

What is the reasoning of your local contacts? (Assuming they favor the classification of this hilt as hulu Coteng?)

Regards,
Kai

Thanks for your input.

The classification between Tajong and Coteng is often blurred here in this instance, which is why I thought it will be good to share with fellow collectors here. I have thought that since Thailand is the place for Tajong and Coteng, there will be opportunities to see more of these, but it Its not the case...

Hope you all enjoy the photos...

[maxbliss888]

A few Coteng to share...

[BluErf]

Originally Posted by maxbliss888

Has any one seen this Coteng wooden handle? It looks like a Tajong but it's a Coteng

This would normally be classified as a tajong. The form is closer to a mid-late period tajong.

It has a boxier form, and a rudimentary beard, from the looks of the photo.

A "kampung"" quality hilt, which is still nice, but not exactly an archetype form to do deep analysis on.

[maxbliss888]

A friend's Coteng

[maxbliss888]

Originally Posted by BluErf

This would normally be classified as a tajong. The form is closer to a mid-late period tajong.

It has a boxier form, and a rudimentary beard, from the looks of the photo.

A "kampung"" quality hilt, which is still nice, but not exactly an archetype form to do deep analysis on.

Thanks..

First time I heard the term Kampung quality hilt... : ı thought all Keris are made in some kampong somewhere during the ancient days...

[BluErf]

I meant good enough to wear around in the kampung, but not fine enough for the higher social strata. Sorry, this sounds politically incorrect, but that's the way art is. The centre of wealth and political power breeds high excellence in artistic expression which form the pinnacles of art that ordinary folks copy, emulate and aspire to own/consume. Like all facsimiles, definition is lost in the process.

[maxbliss888]

Originally Posted by BluErf

I meant good enough to wear around in the kampung, but not fine enough for the higher social strata. Sorry, this sounds politically incorrect, but that's the way art is. The centre of wealth and political power breeds high excellence in artistic expression which form the pinnacles of art that ordinary folks copy, emulate and aspire to own/consume. Like all facsimiles, definition is lost in the process.

If this is the case, this old one will not make it to higher social strata as well...

My guess is that it depends on which angle you prefer to see it. Keris as a weapon or Keris as a status symbol...

[kai]

Hello Max,

Thanks for posting all these keris Coteng (from your and other collections) for future reference!

For those who prefers a stronger blade..

Some really neat examples, congrats!

Regards,
Kai