keris identification

tom hyle · 5th February 2005, 01:14 PM

This hilt shape is usually identified as a sexual pod/flower of some kind of plant. I don't remember which. Hard to tell from photos, but it does look like ivory or some kind of tooth to me.
mmmm.... guess selut is ferule; it is the hilt (ukiran; I know that one) that is too small for it, of course, not vice-versa. The ferule is brass (note green rust). It appears to be a Bugis style ferule, and as such there may not be, and doesn't seem to be, a seperate tang-ring (mendak etc.) as such. this ferule likely originally went on an angled "push-dagger" type hilt. The piece appears to be what would in most cutlery fields be called a "marriage", often with a (largely unwarranted) sneer, but a kris' keeper is expected to change its dress for nationalistic, fashion, quality, damage or other reasons. Also, of course, it is all removable, and can readily to changed back. Some kris dress is assembled up out of whatever parts can be obtained for a naked or partly dressed kris, while others have been switched out over the years, perhaps telling a tale of moves and wanderings.

Battara · 5th February 2005, 01:43 PM

I do think that the hilt is from Madura in style.

nechesh · 5th February 2005, 07:02 PM

Hi Carlos, your hilt is not particularly uncommon. Frey refers to it as a Tongkol Jagong, or "corn" style and there are to be found on both East Jawa and Madura. They are often ivory, but i would say that yours is deer antler, not wood. The selut is not in any way Bugis, they are to be found on this form and there is definitely a seperate mendak, you can see the seperation in the close-up where there appears to be a bit of material sticking out, probably used to bind the keris to the hilt. It would appear, however, that as Alam Shah pointed out, this selut is not original to the hilt as it does appear to be a bit too large in diameter. How's the fit on the sheath? If the sheath fits like a glove i would guess that the handle is more than likely a bit out of character for the blade. I do not sneer at the "married" keris per se, but even if Tom is not inclined to believe so, many an "exotic" handle are married to a more "mundane" keris merely to increase it's sales appeal to a western buying public.

5th February 2005, 01:14 PM	#1
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	This hilt shape is usually identified as a sexual pod/flower of some kind of plant. I don't remember which. Hard to tell from photos, but it does look like ivory or some kind of tooth to me. mmmm.... guess selut is ferule; it is the hilt (ukiran; I know that one) that is too small for it, of course, not vice-versa. The ferule is brass (note green rust). It appears to be a Bugis style ferule, and as such there may not be, and doesn't seem to be, a seperate tang-ring (mendak etc.) as such. this ferule likely originally went on an angled "push-dagger" type hilt. The piece appears to be what would in most cutlery fields be called a "marriage", often with a (largely unwarranted) sneer, but a kris' keeper is expected to change its dress for nationalistic, fashion, quality, damage or other reasons. Also, of course, it is all removable, and can readily to changed back. Some kris dress is assembled up out of whatever parts can be obtained for a naked or partly dressed kris, while others have been switched out over the years, perhaps telling a tale of moves and wanderings. Last edited by tom hyle; 5th February 2005 at 01:57 PM.

5th February 2005, 01:43 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,282	I do think that the hilt is from Madura in style.

5th February 2005, 07:02 PM	#3
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Hi Carlos, your hilt is not particularly uncommon. Frey refers to it as a Tongkol Jagong, or "corn" style and there are to be found on both East Jawa and Madura. They are often ivory, but i would say that yours is deer antler, not wood. The selut is not in any way Bugis, they are to be found on this form and there is definitely a seperate mendak, you can see the seperation in the close-up where there appears to be a bit of material sticking out, probably used to bind the keris to the hilt. It would appear, however, that as Alam Shah pointed out, this selut is not original to the hilt as it does appear to be a bit too large in diameter. How's the fit on the sheath? If the sheath fits like a glove i would guess that the handle is more than likely a bit out of character for the blade. I do not sneer at the "married" keris per se, but even if Tom is not inclined to believe so, many an "exotic" handle are married to a more "mundane" keris merely to increase it's sales appeal to a western buying public.