Javanese Keris?

[harrywagner]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

The description of this keris given by the seller is not quite accurate.

The blade is 13 luk, pamor is adeg in the body of the blade, and probably what we can call a "flame" pamor in the base ( I can give a Javanese name for this, but I will need to spend more time on analysis of this little patch of pamor in the sorsoran). It is probably a 20th century blade, but I cannot be certain of this from photos, no matter how good.

The wrongko (warangka, scabbard) is Solo (Surakarta) gayaman, which is the informal, everyday style, the wood can probably be classified as kayu pelet, it might be timoho, but I cannot tell from a photo. The pendok (metal scabbard cover) is bunton style, the photos are not good enough for me to identify the embossed motif, but it is most likely lung-lungan ( twining vines and foliage).

The jejeran (ukiran, hilt) is a Madurese style, depicting a serpent, it would be legitimate to describe this as a jejeran with naga motif. The mendak (hilt ring between hilt and blade) is a Central Javanese kendit set with pastes.

The only thing wrong with this keris is the hilt, it is totally out of place, it should be taken off the keris and displayed separately as a miniature sculpture. This existing hilt should be replaced with a Solo planar style of hilt, preferably a yudowinatan model.

Do this and you will have an absolutely correct Solo gayaman keris that could be used for wear on most occasions. It is a recent keris, but most definitely not "tourist", or "wall hanger". It is the real deal, but get rid of that hilt, it does not belong.

Many thanks for this incredible information. This is very generous of you. I could not be more surprised by your last paragraph! I have a modest collection, but of the knives I do have I was sure this one was a display or tourist item. I am very happy to know otherwise. I am not a purist though so a tourist item or display piece would not be out of place in my collection, but it is still nice knowing it is not.

I bought two Keris from this seller. He has never let me down. I had not planned on posting photos of the other one, but am re-thinking that. I was certain it was a display piece. Now I am not so sure.

Thanks again for the info. Much appreciated.

Harry

[A. G. Maisey]

This post concerns the pamor motif found in the sorsoran of Harry's keris.I've now been able to see it clearly, and I've been able to access my records.

Jean has nominated junjung darajat.

I have never seen junjung darajat, but my understanding is that it combines a small patch of ujung gunung, which is a miring pamor, with one of the mlumah pamors, my notes do not mention combination with another pamor miring.

Personally, I am inclined to regard this keris as having dwi warna pamor, that is two pamors in the one blade.

One of those pamors is adeg, this is clear, but the other pamor?

I feel that we have 4 or 5 possibles:- Putri Kenurung, Bawang Sebungkul, Sombro, Pengasih, and maybe the outside possibility of Slamet.

From these I'd be inclined to put my money on Pamor Sombro. When Sombro is combined with a second pamor the two pamors together can sometimes be given another name, but there is only mention of it being combined with mlumah pamors, not with miring, thus I feel we must regard this blade as dwi warna:- adeg sapu + sombro.