Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Putting together a museum exhibit linking Java keris to Philippine kris

Bill M · 26th June 2010, 12:32 PM

In this exhibition we are looking for links from Javanese (and Balinese) keris to PI kris.

I began studying the Javanese / Balinese keris a few years ago. I found an object of exquisite beauty and craftsmanship. I was (and still am) attracted to the spiritual nature. The blade and particularly the tang are relatively weak as a fighting piece.

It seemed much more a talisman and spiritual weapon than a battle piece.

I found it difficult to study the spiritual/religious nature of the keris. I learned, from a great teacher, about the construction, the metallurgy even the numerology, but an in depth understanding of the religious nature continues to elude me.

The Javanese keris continues to be the core of my Indonesian collection, followed by Balinese and then other areas.

A good friend Great grandfather was an American General in the PI in the late 1800s/early 190ss. In going though his effects they found three "blades" that turned out to be the genesis of my PI collection. A dagger, a kampilan and a kris (dual fuller twist core).

Here I found a massive spiritual blade that was also a combat weapon.

So we are thinking about showing the keris as having originally coming from India. There seems to be evidence to support this. Developing in Java and expanding to the other Indonesian islands -- as a talisman more than a fighting weapon. And being the genesis of the south Philippines kris and a principle weapon of these freedom fighters.

I am trying to make this as authentic as possible, but realize there is a lot of conflicting information and ideas with cadres firmly entrenched in their positions/opinions.

This exhibition is in a small museum in south Georgia. We are following an exhibit of cotton growing in the early 1900s. Boll weevils and the beginnings of mechanization. These patrons are our local audience.

The men will probably come to see the swords. The women to see the exhibits and jewel-like Javanese/Balinese keris.

This will not be an in-depth study with pages of information. Some text panels that first show world geography, then the regional geography, then pictures (like Magellan fighting for his life in the surf) and a kampilan in a case nearby.

We are not here to debate if the greneng has dha shaped carving, nor the position of the blumbangan.. Discussions like this are much more appropriate to this erudite forum, and I mean that last remark with great respect.

To me and Anne, this is a chance to refocus and reconnect with our collection of marvelous pieces. Hopefully to jump start our interest back into Indonesia and the Philippines. Our best pieces will not leave our home and vault, but maybe a few museum visitors will get a glimmer of places, people and things they have never seen before.

So from India to Indonesia to the battles of the south Philippines culminating with interviews with two PI Princesses I personally know - one from the lineage of Sultan Kuderat and the other from the lineage of Datu Utto.

I do have much larger museums asking for exhibits and this can also be a springboard for them.

So thank you all again for your help in this great project and lets keep it fun! And isn't it a major reason for being a collector to share your fun with others?

26th June 2010, 12:32 PM	#27
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	In this exhibition we are looking for links from Javanese (and Balinese) keris to PI kris. I began studying the Javanese / Balinese keris a few years ago. I found an object of exquisite beauty and craftsmanship. I was (and still am) attracted to the spiritual nature. The blade and particularly the tang are relatively weak as a fighting piece. It seemed much more a talisman and spiritual weapon than a battle piece. I found it difficult to study the spiritual/religious nature of the keris. I learned, from a great teacher, about the construction, the metallurgy even the numerology, but an in depth understanding of the religious nature continues to elude me. The Javanese keris continues to be the core of my Indonesian collection, followed by Balinese and then other areas. A good friend Great grandfather was an American General in the PI in the late 1800s/early 190ss. In going though his effects they found three "blades" that turned out to be the genesis of my PI collection. A dagger, a kampilan and a kris (dual fuller twist core). Here I found a massive spiritual blade that was also a combat weapon. So we are thinking about showing the keris as having originally coming from India. There seems to be evidence to support this. Developing in Java and expanding to the other Indonesian islands -- as a talisman more than a fighting weapon. And being the genesis of the south Philippines kris and a principle weapon of these freedom fighters. I am trying to make this as authentic as possible, but realize there is a lot of conflicting information and ideas with cadres firmly entrenched in their positions/opinions. This exhibition is in a small museum in south Georgia. We are following an exhibit of cotton growing in the early 1900s. Boll weevils and the beginnings of mechanization. These patrons are our local audience. The men will probably come to see the swords. The women to see the exhibits and jewel-like Javanese/Balinese keris. This will not be an in-depth study with pages of information. Some text panels that first show world geography, then the regional geography, then pictures (like Magellan fighting for his life in the surf) and a kampilan in a case nearby. We are not here to debate if the greneng has dha shaped carving, nor the position of the blumbangan.. Discussions like this are much more appropriate to this erudite forum, and I mean that last remark with great respect. To me and Anne, this is a chance to refocus and reconnect with our collection of marvelous pieces. Hopefully to jump start our interest back into Indonesia and the Philippines. Our best pieces will not leave our home and vault, but maybe a few museum visitors will get a glimmer of places, people and things they have never seen before. So from India to Indonesia to the battles of the south Philippines culminating with interviews with two PI Princesses I personally know - one from the lineage of Sultan Kuderat and the other from the lineage of Datu Utto. I do have much larger museums asking for exhibits and this can also be a springboard for them. So thank you all again for your help in this great project and lets keep it fun! And isn't it a major reason for being a collector to share your fun with others?