Straight Palemabng Keris

Gavin Nugent · 23rd January 2024, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterP

Hi, mine is 43cm long and 9cm wide, which I guess is pretty long for a Palembang keris.

Thank you Peter. That is a decent length for the type.
The 9cms is across the gonjo, what is the broadest point in the blade?
If a single photo of the blade is available, I'd like to view it please.

kai · 23rd January 2024, 02:38 AM

Hello Peter,

A blade length of 43cm is definitely in the (very) upper range for Palembang and neighbouring regions.

Regards,
Kai

Gavin Nugent · 23rd January 2024, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Peter,

A blade length of 43cm is definitely in the (very) upper range for Palembang and neighbouring regions.

Regards,
Kai

What's the end limit for them Kai?

Two emails sent some time ago too?

Gavin

David · 23rd January 2024, 04:14 PM

Hi Gavin. This one is 16 inches (40.6 cm).

Gavin Nugent · 25th January 2024, 06:40 AM

Interesting cross section of the type with just two images.

One with the pronounced medial ridge, the other more oval section of the Sumatran Anak or Panjang form.

Does anyone know the Sumatran terms for these variations, if there is one at all?

kai · 28th January 2024, 05:01 PM

Hello Gavin,

Quote:

Interesting cross section of the type with just two images.

One with the pronounced medial ridge, the other more oval section of the Sumatran Anak or Panjang form.

The last two pics from David show a keris apparently locally crafted in typical Jawa style (including the tikel alis). Actually, both keris shown so far are.

Keris Palembang (and Lampung) tended to follow closely standard Jawa or Sunda patterns.

Sumatran Bangkinang blades typically exhibit a rudimentary tikel alis; their cross section tends to have thicker proportions in the lower half of the blade.

Regards,
Kai

kai · 28th January 2024, 05:13 PM

Hello Gavin,

Quote:

What's the end limit for them Kai?

I don't have representative statistics and certainly not enough data on the extremes - let's see what record size we might find here.

My largest Palembang/Lampung blade is just short of Peter's example. I have another keris from Sumatra: Without scabbard; blade appears consistent with Palembang but needs more scrutiny; length about 43.6 cm (over 17").

Regards,
Kai

Gavin Nugent · 29th January 2024, 02:11 AM

Thanks Kai,

I'll throw a known 45.5 long blade in to the mix.
Straight, high medial ridge and slightly swollen though the belly.

23rd January 2024, 04:14 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	Hi Gavin. This one is 16 inches (40.6 cm). Attached Images

23rd January 2024, 02:38 AM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Peter, A blade length of 43cm is definitely in the (very) upper range for Palembang and neighbouring regions. Regards, Kai

25th January 2024, 06:40 AM	#5
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Interesting cross section of the type with just two images. One with the pronounced medial ridge, the other more oval section of the Sumatran Anak or Panjang form. Does anyone know the Sumatran terms for these variations, if there is one at all?

29th January 2024, 02:11 AM	#8
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Thanks Kai, I'll throw a known 45.5 long blade in to the mix. Straight, high medial ridge and slightly swollen though the belly.