Nice Sumatran Keris For Comment

BluErf · 3rd September 2006, 06:07 AM

The Bugis diaspora ended up in many parts of peninsula Malaysia and Sumatra, including Terengganu. Hence, it is not wrong to say that this is a Bugis or Bugis-influenced blade made in Terengganu. The Bugis blades made in Peninsula Malaysia tend to be 'finer' than most Sulawesi Bugis kerises, and 'sweeter', having absorbed the Malay sense of aesthetics. It may not be as macho, but it is more pleasing to the eyes.

On Peninsula Malaysia, I see 2 major forms of kerises - the Javanese-influenced forms and the Bugis influenced-forms. The more south you go, the more predominant the Bugis-influenced forms. The more north you go, we see greater presence of Javanese-influenced forms. Apart from this common Bugis Sepokal form, there is the carita and melela forms which excel in terms of the refinedness of the dapur and perabots.

Keris melela from Terengganu:
http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_photo.php

Keris Unduk-unduk from Terengganu
http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_photo.php

1st pic - Dave Henkel's keris melela

2nd and 3rd pic - Dave Henkel's keris carita

BluErf · 3rd September 2006, 06:19 AM

Another carita, again from Dave Henkel's collection. Exceptionally long and fine example. Some collectors refer to the carita in the post above as a melela.

The difference between a melela and a carita is the subject of much disagreement. Most would agree that a keris with deep "double fullers", meaning double sogokan and kruwingan reaching the tip, or at least covering 3/4 of a blade, is called a melela. A carita is supposed to have shallower fullers, and in certain cases, no fullers. The confusion comes in when a keris a set of fullers that is neither shallow nor deep. Would that be a melela or carita?

BluErf · 3rd September 2006, 06:20 AM

This is a straight carita from Pattani.

http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_photo.php

Lew · 3rd September 2006, 06:40 AM

Question about the pamor? It seems that there is two types of pamor on the blade. The lower half of the blade looks like a scattered rice pattern but it changes half way up the blade to a fine linear pattern?

Lew

David · 3rd September 2006, 07:00 AM

Yes Lew, it's nice to see that it is a pamored blade after all. My inclination would be to stain it to bring out the pamor, but i have been led to believe that warangan treatment is not traditional for blades from this region so i don't know if that would be the proper course of action. But it sure would make it easier to read the pamor.

Nice catch!

Lew · 3rd September 2006, 09:28 PM

Hi All

I noticed a something interesting today I was removing the keris from the scabbard when I noticed the keris made a ringing sound so I plinked the center of the blade with my finger and a pleasant ring came out of the blade much like a tuning fork or a fine crystal wine glass would make. This sound lasted for about 5 seconds. Is this something out of the ordinary for this type of blade? Maybe I have found the excalibur of the keris

Lew

David · 3rd September 2006, 10:09 PM

I've always been particularly fond of "ringers" and have a few myself that have particularly good resonance. Some writers (Tammens for one i believe) have made reference to different types of rings having different significance. It seems to be a sign of good metal working to me, though many of my better keris don't have much of a ring at all. Interestingly, one of my best ringers is also a Bugis blade, though one from Sulawesi.
BTW, take it for what it's worth to you, but i have heard that it is considered rude to the spirit of the keris to plink the blade with your finger.

Though i must admit i find it hard to resist on a good "ringer" myself.

3rd September 2006, 06:07 AM	#1
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	The Bugis diaspora ended up in many parts of peninsula Malaysia and Sumatra, including Terengganu. Hence, it is not wrong to say that this is a Bugis or Bugis-influenced blade made in Terengganu. The Bugis blades made in Peninsula Malaysia tend to be 'finer' than most Sulawesi Bugis kerises, and 'sweeter', having absorbed the Malay sense of aesthetics. It may not be as macho, but it is more pleasing to the eyes. On Peninsula Malaysia, I see 2 major forms of kerises - the Javanese-influenced forms and the Bugis influenced-forms. The more south you go, the more predominant the Bugis-influenced forms. The more north you go, we see greater presence of Javanese-influenced forms. Apart from this common Bugis Sepokal form, there is the carita and melela forms which excel in terms of the refinedness of the dapur and perabots. Keris melela from Terengganu: http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_photo.php Keris Unduk-unduk from Terengganu http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_photo.php 1st pic - Dave Henkel's keris melela 2nd and 3rd pic - Dave Henkel's keris carita Attached Images Last edited by BluErf; 3rd September 2006 at 02:17 PM. Reason: bad sentence structure

3rd September 2006, 06:19 AM	#2
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Another carita, again from Dave Henkel's collection. Exceptionally long and fine example. Some collectors refer to the carita in the post above as a melela. The difference between a melela and a carita is the subject of much disagreement. Most would agree that a keris with deep "double fullers", meaning double sogokan and kruwingan reaching the tip, or at least covering 3/4 of a blade, is called a melela. A carita is supposed to have shallower fullers, and in certain cases, no fullers. The confusion comes in when a keris a set of fullers that is neither shallow nor deep. Would that be a melela or carita? Attached Images

3rd September 2006, 09:28 PM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Singing Blade Hi All I noticed a something interesting today I was removing the keris from the scabbard when I noticed the keris made a ringing sound so I plinked the center of the blade with my finger and a pleasant ring came out of the blade much like a tuning fork or a fine crystal wine glass would make. This sound lasted for about 5 seconds. Is this something out of the ordinary for this type of blade? Maybe I have found the excalibur of the keris Lew

3rd September 2006, 10:09 PM	#7
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	I've always been particularly fond of "ringers" and have a few myself that have particularly good resonance. Some writers (Tammens for one i believe) have made reference to different types of rings having different significance. It seems to be a sign of good metal working to me, though many of my better keris don't have much of a ring at all. Interestingly, one of my best ringers is also a Bugis blade, though one from Sulawesi. BTW, take it for what it's worth to you, but i have heard that it is considered rude to the spirit of the keris to plink the blade with your finger. Though i must admit i find it hard to resist on a good "ringer" myself. Last edited by David; 3rd September 2006 at 10:22 PM.

3rd September 2006, 06:20 AM	#3
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	This is a straight carita from Pattani. http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_photo.php

3rd September 2006, 06:40 AM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Question about the pamor? It seems that there is two types of pamor on the blade. The lower half of the blade looks like a scattered rice pattern but it changes half way up the blade to a fine linear pattern? Lew

3rd September 2006, 07:00 AM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	Yes Lew, it's nice to see that it is a pamored blade after all. My inclination would be to stain it to bring out the pamor, but i have been led to believe that warangan treatment is not traditional for blades from this region so i don't know if that would be the proper course of action. But it sure would make it easier to read the pamor. Nice catch!