A batman keris selit

Rafngard · 2nd October 2018, 04:11 AM

Hello All,

I picked this up a while back but am only now getting to posting photos. Size wise I think this would be called a keris selit, though I believe that term is Malay specific, and this seems to be from Southern Sumatra. I think I've read that these come from somewhere between mid 19th - WWII. Given the surface texture of the blade, I suspect this one has some age, but I'm not a very good judge of this.

The blade has a naga carved on it. I wonder if this is a latter addition.

As always, any thoughts, comments, opinions, etc are welcome.

Thanks,
Leif

Jean · 2nd October 2018, 11:48 AM

The scabbard and hilt are from South Sumatra and the rustic naga seems original from the pics (the pamor lines are continuous).
Regards

kai · 4th October 2018, 06:58 PM

Hello Jean,

Quote:

The scabbard and hilt are from South Sumatra and the rustic naga seems original from the pics (the pamor lines are continuous).

While the pamor seems to extend through the naga, the latter does seem to be a candidate for it being recarved from a plain gandik of an originally larger keris. In any case, it is rather poor craftsmanship as you laready suggested...

Regards,
Kai

A. G. Maisey · 4th October 2018, 11:47 PM

The quality of craftsmanship in an item of tosan aji is most certainly relevant when that item is intended to be seen as a work of art, or if it is the production of a known and respected empu or pande.

However, when an item of tosan aji has been made originally for a talismanic purpose, or has been altered to fulfil a talismanic requirement, the quality of craftsmanship comes a very distant second to the esoteric content that the item is perceived to enshrine.

The craftsmanship of this little blade is certainly not what one would expect to see from a noted maker, and there is perhaps a possibility of alteration at a time following its original production, however, in view of the probable intent of a keris such as this, I personally would not consider the question of quality of craftsmanship to be relevant in even the smallest degree.

Jean · 6th October 2018, 12:38 PM

I don't know if this kris was made for talismanic purpose but this type of short kris seems to be common in South Sumatra, see a similar piece (without naga) with a 25cm long blade of better craftsmanship.
Regards

A. G. Maisey · 6th October 2018, 01:41 PM

Or perhaps more recent Jean?

2nd October 2018, 04:11 AM	#1
Rafngard Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 340	A batman keris selit Hello All, I picked this up a while back but am only now getting to posting photos. Size wise I think this would be called a keris selit, though I believe that term is Malay specific, and this seems to be from Southern Sumatra. I think I've read that these come from somewhere between mid 19th - WWII. Given the surface texture of the blade, I suspect this one has some age, but I'm not a very good judge of this. The blade has a naga carved on it. I wonder if this is a latter addition. As always, any thoughts, comments, opinions, etc are welcome. Thanks, Leif Attached Images

6th October 2018, 12:38 PM	#5
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	I don't know if this kris was made for talismanic purpose but this type of short kris seems to be common in South Sumatra, see a similar piece (without naga) with a 25cm long blade of better craftsmanship. Regards Attached Images

2nd October 2018, 11:48 AM	#2
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	The scabbard and hilt are from South Sumatra and the rustic naga seems original from the pics (the pamor lines are continuous). Regards

4th October 2018, 11:47 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,892	The quality of craftsmanship in an item of tosan aji is most certainly relevant when that item is intended to be seen as a work of art, or if it is the production of a known and respected empu or pande. However, when an item of tosan aji has been made originally for a talismanic purpose, or has been altered to fulfil a talismanic requirement, the quality of craftsmanship comes a very distant second to the esoteric content that the item is perceived to enshrine. The craftsmanship of this little blade is certainly not what one would expect to see from a noted maker, and there is perhaps a possibility of alteration at a time following its original production, however, in view of the probable intent of a keris such as this, I personally would not consider the question of quality of craftsmanship to be relevant in even the smallest degree.

6th October 2018, 01:41 PM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,892	Or perhaps more recent Jean?