Indonesian Tombak question

Battara · 9th October 2009, 11:55 PM

The lack of wear and the quality of the workmanship in the brass inlay suggest to me that this is of recent manufacture as well.

Boedhi Adhitya · 10th October 2009, 04:19 AM

A good and complete tombak blade should have methuk, a cylindrical base that hold the blade so it will not get into the shaft's hole and break the shaft upon impact. It might be made separatly or not, like ganja in keris. The place where the blade meets methuk should fit the methuk well, that is, cylindrical in shape.

No methuk and it is slightly square on Devadatta blade.

I think it is a reshaped old pieces, might be cut from a sword or other tombak, who knows ?

Of course, my comment based on assumption that the blade really comes from Indonesia/Java.

David · 10th October 2009, 04:43 AM

If not new then it is seriously reworked from an older blade. The kinatah is certainly new and as has been pointed out, there is very little edge wear so if it isn't new it has been reshaped. If i had to vote though i would say new.
Willem, take a look at the incredible details of the contempory work being done in Bali on Alan's thread on the keris form of the Neka Museum in Ubud. Craftmanship is far from dead in Indonesia.

asomotif · 10th October 2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

take a look at the incredible details of the contempory work being done in Bali on Alan's thread on the keris form of the Neka Museum in Ubud.

I have seen the thread by Alan. Not all my style, but really superb craftmanship.
So, you are right, this quality carving can indeed be new.
But what a pity that they than don't combine it with a new quality forged blade. Than it would be a contemporary piece of outstanding quality.

A. G. Maisey · 10th October 2009, 01:31 PM

Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.

9th October 2009, 11:55 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	The lack of wear and the quality of the workmanship in the brass inlay suggest to me that this is of recent manufacture as well.

10th October 2009, 04:19 AM	#2
Boedhi Adhitya Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 103	A good and complete tombak blade should have methuk, a cylindrical base that hold the blade so it will not get into the shaft's hole and break the shaft upon impact. It might be made separatly or not, like ganja in keris. The place where the blade meets methuk should fit the methuk well, that is, cylindrical in shape. No methuk and it is slightly square on Devadatta blade. I think it is a reshaped old pieces, might be cut from a sword or other tombak, who knows ? Of course, my comment based on assumption that the blade really comes from Indonesia/Java.

10th October 2009, 04:43 AM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,229	If not new then it is seriously reworked from an older blade. The kinatah is certainly new and as has been pointed out, there is very little edge wear so if it isn't new it has been reshaped. If i had to vote though i would say new. Willem, take a look at the incredible details of the contempory work being done in Bali on Alan's thread on the keris form of the Neka Museum in Ubud. Craftmanship is far from dead in Indonesia.

10th October 2009, 01:31 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,048	Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.