Two 17th century Keris at the Power and Fashion Exhibition in Dresden

Tatyana Dianova · 8th June 2017, 11:31 AM

Last weekend I have visited Power and Fashion exhibition in Dresden. It features many weapons and costumes from the Reformation and early Baroque periods. Two 17th century Keris are featured there as well. One of them is well known from the older Rüstkammer exhibition and it is described as Indonesian. I am really not a specialist, but the golden dress probably has a Sumbawa origin.

Tatyana Dianova · 8th June 2017, 11:32 AM

The blade of other one is described as 17th century Javanese, with repainted old sheath and replica handle. I liked them both

A. G. Maisey · 8th June 2017, 02:25 PM

Thank you for posting these Tatyana.

As you know, in 2012 I was permitted to examine and photograph all of the keris held by the State Museum in Dresden, but I had to swear an oath in blood that I would never reproduce the photos that I took, or even lend those photos to another person.

Publishing something on public exhibition has very nicely circumvented the prohibitions which were placed on me.

Well done.

asomotif · 8th June 2017, 06:10 PM

Beautifull. thanks for sharing.

David · 8th June 2017, 08:03 PM

I second (or third) everyone thanking you for posting these. Rarely seen authentically old and beautifully executed blades.
I wonder, Alan, if now that we have these blades on view for examination is you might have more to say about them since you had the opportunity to examine them closely and first-hand.
I suspect that the paint sheath has a strong Chinese influence from the choice of motifs.
I see that the gold sheathed keris is similar in dress to other Sumbawa keris, bit wonder if the origin of the blade itself might not be Jawa.

Tatyana Dianova · 8th June 2017, 08:12 PM

Next time I will take a better camera at the exhibition

Bjorn · 8th June 2017, 08:52 PM

I agree with David. The painting of the sheath looks very Chinese. The same style also exists in Japan, imported from China, but considering the large amount of ethnic Chinese and peranakan in Indonesia, Chinese influence seems more likely.

Both blades are nice, but I love the Sumbawa one. The blade itself strikes me as Javanese also, but perhaps there were Javanese smiths at the royal courts of Sumbawa at one point? Or it could have been a gift to cement the relationship between ruler and vassal. I forget whether Sumbawa was a vassal state to Mojohapit.

Alan, out of curiosity, what are the reasons the Dresden museum does not want these photos made public?

8th June 2017, 11:31 AM	#1
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 695	Two 17th century Keris at the Power and Fashion Exhibition in Dresden Last weekend I have visited Power and Fashion exhibition in Dresden. It features many weapons and costumes from the Reformation and early Baroque periods. Two 17th century Keris are featured there as well. One of them is well known from the older Rüstkammer exhibition and it is described as Indonesian. I am really not a specialist, but the golden dress probably has a Sumbawa origin. Attached Images

8th June 2017, 11:32 AM	#2
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 695	The blade of other one is described as 17th century Javanese, with repainted old sheath and replica handle. I liked them both Attached Images

8th June 2017, 02:25 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,877	Thank you for posting these Tatyana. As you know, in 2012 I was permitted to examine and photograph all of the keris held by the State Museum in Dresden, but I had to swear an oath in blood that I would never reproduce the photos that I took, or even lend those photos to another person. Publishing something on public exhibition has very nicely circumvented the prohibitions which were placed on me. Well done.

8th June 2017, 06:10 PM	#4
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,224	Beautifull. thanks for sharing.

8th June 2017, 08:03 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,113	I second (or third) everyone thanking you for posting these. Rarely seen authentically old and beautifully executed blades. I wonder, Alan, if now that we have these blades on view for examination is you might have more to say about them since you had the opportunity to examine them closely and first-hand. I suspect that the paint sheath has a strong Chinese influence from the choice of motifs. I see that the gold sheathed keris is similar in dress to other Sumbawa keris, bit wonder if the origin of the blade itself might not be Jawa.

8th June 2017, 08:12 PM	#6
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 695	Next time I will take a better camera at the exhibition

8th June 2017, 08:52 PM	#7
Bjorn Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 188	I agree with David. The painting of the sheath looks very Chinese. The same style also exists in Japan, imported from China, but considering the large amount of ethnic Chinese and peranakan in Indonesia, Chinese influence seems more likely. Both blades are nice, but I love the Sumbawa one. The blade itself strikes me as Javanese also, but perhaps there were Javanese smiths at the royal courts of Sumbawa at one point? Or it could have been a gift to cement the relationship between ruler and vassal. I forget whether Sumbawa was a vassal state to Mojohapit. Alan, out of curiosity, what are the reasons the Dresden museum does not want these photos made public?