Viking Norse Keris for comment

[David]

Welcome to the forum Alexish.
I can't say that i see the reasoning behind this particular kind of cross-culturalism, but it does seem to be technically and artistically well executed.

[A. G. Maisey]

Sumenep.

I feel that perhaps we will find that the keris itself is a rather recent one in an East Javanese style.

[alexish]

I attach more pictures of my Viking Norse Keris with blade, including pictures of the original Viking Norse designs that inspired me.

[David]

Perhaps you can share with us your thinking here Alex. I thought at first perhaps you were of Norse descent (which may still be true) however your location seems to be in Hong Kong. We all collect keris for various reasons. Mine, at least in part, is a deep interest the cultures of Indonesia and a desire to study and preserve this cultures so dressing a blade like this is pretty antithetical to my own thinking on the subject. Do you have a particular fascination with Viking culture or see particular similarities between these cultures?

[alexish]

I was inspired to commission a keris sarung based on Viking Norse design, because I see such strong parallels between the Vikings and the sea-faring cultures of the Malay Archipelago such as the Bugis and the Moros, which all have piracy traditions. Additionally, Bugis adventurers founded various new kingdoms in other parts of the Malay World such as Selangor in Malaysia. This is similiar to Viking adventurers who founded the duchy of Normandy, that led to the Norman conquest of England.

[alexish]

Can someone comment on the Dhapur and locality of the blade. I know for sure that the blade is Javanese, because I bought it from a dealer in Java. But which part of Java is it likely from - Solo, Yogya, Cirebon? Also, what is the name of the Dhapur, and what mystical properties is the Dhapur associated with?

[David]

Originally Posted by alexish

Can someone comment on the Dhapur and locality of the blade. I know for sure that the blade is Javanese, because I bought it from a dealer in Java. But which part of Java is it likely from - Solo, Yogya, Cirebon? Also, what is the name of the Dhapur, and what mystical properties is the Dhapur associated with?

Well Alexish, this is a contemporary creation and frankly it includes some features i have not encountered on keris before. Dhapur is a designation of specific pakem that applies to specific kratons (palaces) from various kingdoms such as you have mentioned so given the artistic license of this particular piece i am not sure exactly what dhapur name would apply.
Buying a keris in Jawa is no guarantee that the blade was actually made in Jawa, though it is possible. There are also centers of modern keris production of these forms in parts of Madura as well that could possibly produce a blade like this. Someone here may be better at recognizing these modern works stylistically and have a more definite answer for you as to what area this one comes.
Mystical properties are more usually connected to pamor pattern than with dhapur, though that can figure in as well. From the photos you display your keris seems to be without pamor (kelengan) so i can't offer much information there. However, i will say that modern keris from these keris making centers in Jawa and Madura tend more towards the artistic presentation of keris, not the mystical/magicak form. The vast majority of modern keris makers are not empus who still know the secret rites and rituals necessary to make mystically empowered blades. Perhaps others will have a different opinion.

[Lee]

Originally Posted by alexish

... I see such strong parallels between the Vikings and the sea-faring cultures of the Malay Archipelago such as the Bugis and the Moros, which all have piracy traditions.

Yes, I can see the parallels. It brought back fond memories of this thread concerning artifacts from a sea captain involved in a pirate attack in the Sulu archipelago in the late nineteenth century. Just like the Vikings, both the Moros and their Sulu neighbors employed pattern-welded spears and swords (I'll show a nice pattern-welded kris later when I can get the photos done). Also, I do like your Viking themed keris.

[David]

Originally Posted by Lee

Yes, I can see the parallels. It brought back fond memories of this thread concerning artifacts from a sea captain involved in a pirate attack in the Sulu archipelago in the late nineteenth century. Just like the Vikings, both the Moros and their Sulu neighbors employed pattern-welded spears and swords (I'll show a nice pattern-welded kris later when I can get the photos done). Also, I do like your Viking themed keris.

Yes Lee, that was a very cool thread. Of course, our focus here is Indonesian keris, not it's Moro cousin.

[alexish]

Here are additional pictures of the Viking Norse Keris, including pictures of the Oseberg Viking ship that inspired the Warangka.