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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 2,224
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Recently bought this Bugis Keris from a pre WW2 collection.
So before WW2 is sure, but can you help me on the age of the blade ? The hilt seems Hippo ivory to me, am I right ? There is a simple loop of wire attached to scabbard. seems of later date. Any suggestions how such a loop should be fixed ? Thanks for any input. best regards, Willem |
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#2 |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,100
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I don't know all that much about ivory, but AFAIK hippos are an African animal and i would think a more local material would be more likely. It looks like sea ivory to me, but better pictures would help. Possible Dugong (also known as sea cows or manatees).
The fittings look like fairly well reprossed silver. As for the loop, i agree that it doesn't look original to the ensemble. I am very curious about these loops. Are they functional (for wearing pehaps) or merely decorative? Are they specific to a particular region or do we find them where ever the Bugis went? ![]() Will the hilt fit down any further on the pesi. If not i would guess that either the hilt or the pendokok (or both) are later, badly fitted additions. |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 1,209
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I completely agree with David
The ukiran is probably sea ivory. About the fitting of it see the comment of David. The loop is often seen on Bugis or Sumatran keris. AFAIK it is only seen on Sumatra. The function of it is for me unknown. I guess it is ceremonial and the cord was mostly covered with gold (suasa) or silver and dressed up with stones. But there where also more simple loops like yours. The functional use for it what I can think of is attaching the keris to the belt. Age of a keris is very hard to tell. With this blade I wouldn't try to guess. |
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#4 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,200
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Are the mounts tarnished silver or gilded silver (which it looks likely).
I agree with needing better pictures for the ivory - some did trade in hippo ivory in the region. |
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#5 | ||
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Singapore
Posts: 1,248
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The wrapping to the bottom half of the sheath seems missing.
Blade-wise, a very good blade indeed, with pamor Raja Abala Raja. Quote:
![]() Quote:
![]() The sheath cross-piece looks Malay... the hilt suggests Sumatra. I agree that the loop is a possible later addition... but quite sometime back. Looking at it again... basing on the hilt/hilt ring, unable to fit nicely... is it a composite piece? ![]() ![]() Last edited by Alam Shah; 26th July 2007 at 03:28 AM. Reason: add observation... |
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#6 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,287
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Great looking pamor; one I haven't seen before .
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