A comparison of Javan blades
 

It has been a little quiet on the forum so thought I would start a thread about the variety found in Javan blades. I'm sure near endless but I have 6 examples to share for comment/feedback. I'm curious how everyone would date these from oldest to youngest and what the potential range would be. I understand difficult to do absolutely from pictures so guesses are fine in this scenario. So will number the keris from left to right 1-6. I will start with an overall shot of the group and then a separate posting to show a few more details of each one.

Example #1. Light blade and fairly narrow.

Example #2. A heavily textured blade with very black finish.

Example #3. Unusual blade in that it is narrow at the hilt and widens towards the center. No visible pamor but some lamination lines visible.

Example #4. Very topographical/textured blade.

Example #5. A very robust/stout blade.

Example #6. Long blade with very fine gold work at top of ganja.

I think there is a good possibility that blades 1 & 2 are from Madura, not Jawa. I wouldn't even want to start throwing around dates for these blades, though blade #2 comes off to me as being fairly contemporary.

OK, I'll bite, but as stated, this is a guessing game.

Guessing, and based on what I can see in the photos.

I am not basing my guesses on most of the things I would rely upon if I were able to examine these keris. This means that anything I say here could be contradicted with better photos or with handling of the blade.
I would like to be able to avoid tangguh/classification, but regrettably I will be compelled to use a little input from this source.

#1 --- North Coast/Tuban, before 1800

#2 --- Madura (Sumenep) 1980's

#3 ---Central Jawa, inferior work, possibly re-shaped, 19th century

#4 --- North Coast, tending to East Jawa; physically the form may related to Tuban, but the pamor work shows Madura influence. Close magnified examination of the construction and material would be necessary to form a defensible opinion, but in compliance with the "rules of the game", I'd give it as 19th century.

#5 --- Central Jawa under the influence of Ngayogyakarta, HB, 19th century. Note "influence of", I am not saying that this is a kraton standard keris, I am saying it is influenced by kraton standards:- the maker had a very good try but didn't quite get there. This is a nice keris. 19th century.

#6 --- Stylistically this would pass for Mataram Sultan Agung, but it is very probably a much later copy, only close magnified examination would confirm or disallow this guess. The kinatah work is probably late 19th century --- and the keris itself may also date from this time. Another nice keris.

Agree that the #2 is a very recent Madura blade. When I could choose one of the blades I would take #5, a very nice blade. Could you show it with the dress?

Regards,
Detlef

Thanks for participating Alan and providing insight.

Hi Sajen, yes I can add some additional pictures for the dress on #5 and I will also add them for #6 as it is very nice. Give me a few days to get through some busy times at work.

Thank you Rick, no problem, I know this problem! ;)

Hi Sajen,

Finally had an opportunity to post some additional pictures of the dress of two of the examples. This is the one you specifically requested. Nice handle but fairly plain scabbard.

Here is the dress for the example with gold work. It is very nice.

Hi Rick,
the scabbard missing it's oversheath (pendok). The keris is worth to look for a fitting one. The blade peek out a little bit, not unusual at all, do you think the dress is made for the blade? A polish with car polish would be good for the upper part of the sheath.

Regards,
Detlef

Indeed a very nice dress, please turn the handle by 180 dgree. Also here, a little polish of all parts would let look it more nice.

Gold work
 

Interestingly, I have a Bali Keris here with identical gold work and a Naga or Banda chiselled into the blade.

Nice Keris.

the keris could use a nice pendok and polish of wood, IMO