Java Keris

[Jean]

Originally Posted by David

Yes, i understood what he meant about the style of how the pendok is finished and fitted at the top, but he also mentions his thought the motif appeared at first to be Yogya. So i'm not sure what you are pointing out.

IMO and although the pendok motif looks like one of the Yogya designs (but quite crudely made), it is not from Yogya because the motif extends to the tip and the pendok is not narrowed at the tip like the Yogya pendoks, see example.
Regards

[David]

Originally Posted by Jean

IMO and although the pendok motif looks like one of the Yogya designs (but quite crudely made), it is not from Yogya because the motif extends to the tip and the pendok is not narrowed at the tip like the Yogya pendoks, see example.
Regards

Yes Jean, while i do agree that the motif presented in Gavin's pendok bears resemblance to a particular Yogya pattern, the over all form of this pendok seems to be Surakarta.

[A. G. Maisey]

Jogja?

Surakarta?

Jawa Tengah in general?

East Jawa to conform with wider standard?

The pendok motif is sort of not quite anything.

The gambar is generic Jawa Tengah, tending to Solo.

But there is one slightly unusual feature in the entire scabbard assembly:- the pendok has a lis, not a very well executed one, but a lis just the same.

Once any keris moves away from the influence of a socio-cultural dictate, wide ranging variation in recognised forms & motifs can & often does, creep in.

This is a very ordinary keris, but when it was new, it was very probably the pride & joy of somebody, he had achieved ownership of possibly the best that could be done in his particular location.

My personal opinion is that it is sufficient to describe this keris as stylistically Central Jawa.

[Gavin Nugent]

Thank you gents, the learning has been enlightening.