Nice Sumatran Keris For Comment

[A. G. Maisey]

As I have already stated, my knowledge of Bugis/ Peninsula/ Sumatra keris is not very great.

I thank you, BluErf, for your over-view of Peninsula blade forms.

May we focus on the Bugis form for a moment?

You have mentioned that Bugis style blades made in Peninsula Malaysia tend to be more refined than Bugis blades originating in South Sulawesi.

Are you able to identify specific indicators that would place a Bugis style blade into a classification of Peninsula manufacture, or South Sulawesi manufacture?

If you are not able to identify such specific indicators, and the classification of geographic origin of a Bugis blade is a matter for subjective assessment and experience, are you able to provide guidelines to assist in making this classification?

If a Peninsular Bugis blade is "sweeter" and "finer" than most Sulawesi Bugis blades, are you able to define the elements that contribute to this higher level of refinement?

Thank you for your clarification of this matter.

[BluErf]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

As I have already stated, my knowledge of Bugis/ Peninsula/ Sumatra keris is not very great.

I thank you, BluErf, for your over-view of Peninsula blade forms.

May we focus on the Bugis form for a moment?

You have mentioned that Bugis style blades made in Peninsula Malaysia tend to be more refined than Bugis blades originating in South Sulawesi.

Are you able to identify specific indicators that would place a Bugis style blade into a classification of Peninsula manufacture, or South Sulawesi manufacture?

If you are not able to identify such specific indicators, and the classification of geographic origin of a Bugis blade is a matter for subjective assessment and experience, are you able to provide guidelines to assist in making this classification?

If a Peninsular Bugis blade is "sweeter" and "finer" than most Sulawesi Bugis blades, are you able to define the elements that contribute to this higher level of refinement?

Thank you for your clarification of this matter.

These are very tough questions to answer definitively. My observations come from seeing and handling numerous Peninsula and Bugis kerises. I learnt to identify the keris by the hilt and the sheath first, and then looking at the blade. Though blades may move from island to island and get dressed in the local style, there are sufficient 'native' blades in 'native' sheaths to give a general sense of the aesthetics defining Bugis blades from the peninsula/Sumatran (or shall we call it the Straits) and Sulawesi. As with everything, there are exceptions.

There are a few good examples of Sulawesi kerises on Adni's website. I do not want to make specific links to them, but do a quick search and you should find three archetypal Sulawesi kerises. You may also refer to these pieces in my collection:

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

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

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

Notice that the Sulawesi blades look generally stiffer, with disproportionate (sometimes too short, sometimes too long) ganjas without much curves, or refined greneng. The greneng, if present, are big and chunky. The kembang kacang curves out awkwardly most of the time, and is also chunky. For sepokal pieces, the blades taper too sharply near the tip, and some has pregnant middles which does not look aesthetically nice (at least to me). But all of these Sulawesi pieces are tough as they get, very often tempered up to 80% of the blade length.

Here are some Sulawesi kerises with exceptionally nice blades (compared to other Sulawesi pieces):

http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php
(Blade almost looks Javanese, but compare it to one of the pieces above. The greneng styles are akin to each other.)

http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php
(This is probably a Malay blade in a Sulawesi sheath. It is of the carita form, and the greyish metal is more akin to Peninsula pieces than Sulawesi.)

http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php
(This is a very nice Sulawesi sepokal blade. I would admit that I'm saying that it is Sulawesi because of the sheath and original hilt (which I didn't acquire), which are Sulawesi forms.)


Compare the Sulawesi kerises to Peninsula and Sumatran Bugis pieces (the Straits Bugis):

http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php
(Though generally chunky, the blade is more balanced, features are softer and better-formed. Looks less awkward).

http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php
(Very refined Sumatran Bugis blade. Compare the sor-soran area to the Sulawesi pieces.)

http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php
(Though the blade is simplistic, it already shows a greater appreciation of the flow of the lines. Notice the way the 4 lines which defines the silhouette of the blade curves to meet each other. The blade looks 'flowing' and 'balanced'. Sorry, I can't put it in hard facts-and-figures style. This has to be seen and felt. What the Malays refer to as 'air-tangan': "water of the hand")

http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_photo.php
(East Sumatran Bugis blade with well-executed sogokan and kruwingan that follows the curvature of the blade, proportionate and curving ganja, and mildly pregnant middle, neither too fat nor too thin.)

http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php
(Small little Terengganu keris with a Bugis-style sepokal blade. Compare the curved lines and pamor on this piece with the Buton piece and one of the straight Sulawesi pieces on Adni's website.)

And of course, we have Lew's fine example, with the greneng details, ganja which is not too short, and curves out at an angle, and the aring flares out horizontally at the tail end. The slight arc in the blade, ending in the dome-shaped tip.

[David]

Thanks Kai Wee, for this thorough presentation on these difficult questions. The subtly of form changes as Bugis blades migrate from one area to another is a tough one to follow. The same goes for the form of dress. I am sure i will still be confused, but your input has been a great help.

[A. G. Maisey]

Thank you BluErf for your response to my question.

I will examine your submission in detail at my earliest opportunity, and ---hopefully---comment further.

[rahman]

I may be wrong, but one defining characteristic of a Straits Bugis or Malay blade vis-a-vis Sulawesi blade is the presence of a 'pinggang' (waist) on the blade. Malay blades tend to have this feature and gives the overall blade a refined flow. In contrast, the Sulawesi blades tend to be more broad and stocky. Just my 2 bits worth.

For the ringing, I think that's the mark of a tempered blade. I call it singing and I luv keris that sing! My 2 bits worth again

[BluErf]

Rahman Sir, haven't heard from you for a long time! I am down with a bad flu, which gave me the rare opportunity to read the forum while the sun is still in the sky.

[David]

Sorry yo hear of your illness Kai Wee. I trust you will be back on you feet in no time.
I share your fondness for "singers" Rahman. I wonder if it has more to do with just tempering the blade. I would have thought that many of my older blades that don't sing would also have been tempered. I have thought that the pleasant ringing might have more to do with the types of metals used in the forging. Perhaps someone knows more.