Keris with an old warangka in Gabilan style.

[Athanase]

Hello,

I bought this keris for sheath without even seeing his blade.
The warangka is in the Gabilan style with a very thick brass pendok (1mm thick minimum) with a strong hook.

The blade was a pleasant surprise because it is old and little damaged and elegant. But I think it looks more like a Central Java blade than a blade from Madura. In addition the sheath was clearly not made for this blade.

The Mendak is made of brass and is partially covered with a "brick" color paint. I have supposed that it may have been varnish if the wood of the sheath was refinished without removing the blade.

The handle is in a style that I appreciate very much, but I find that the quality of his carving is much more crude than the warangka. In addition I do not remember having already seen this type of handle associated with this type of warangka.

All these details make me think that Keris is a mix even if this mixture seems old.

[Jean]

Hello Athanase,
This style of cylindrical floral hilt is common in Madura/ East Java, see pics.
Regards

[Athanase]

Oh yes, it's very common (I have 2 other Keris with this type of handle, but Ladrang warangka type).
It's just the association with this type of Warangka that I didn't remember having seen before. In addition, if the handle and the warangka seems to be made of the same wood, it's the difference in quality of the carving that put me in doubt.
I love this keris, but I just wanted to submit to your opinions some details that surprised me.

[kai]

Hello Séverin,

There seems to have been some flux between North coast and eastern Jawa (no wonder considering the trade).

It looks like there was some resin narrowing the scabbard (now mostly crumbled away)? If so, the blade may have been married to the scabbard for quite some time already. The hilt could use a ferrule/selut and possibly a slightly smaller eastern mendak. I believe the ensemble could live happily ever after...

Regards,
Kai

[Jean]

I find the warangka and hilt very nice but I am less convinced by the blade quality , especially the poor greneng carving and the luks appear uneven on the pics, particularly the last one.
Regards

[Athanase]

Originally Posted by Jean

I find the warangka and hilt very nice but I am less convinced by the blade quality , especially the poor greneng carving and the luks appear uneven on the pics, particularly the last one.
Regards

Indeed, I didn't notice this detail but the luks are a little irregular. For the last luk this is refuted by the fact that there is a significant lack on the edge.
The greneng is very simple and in addition to being eroded. I agree that this is clearly not a premium blade but I like it, especially because his pamor is still apparent (which is rarely the case on keris that I find ).

[Athanase]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Séverin,

There seems to have been some flux between North coast and eastern Jawa (no wonder considering the trade).

It looks like there was some resin narrowing the scabbard (now mostly crumbled away)? If so, the blade may have been married to the scabbard for quite some time already. The hilt could use a ferrule/selut and possibly a slightly smaller eastern mendak. I believe the ensemble could live happily ever after...

Regards,
Kai

Yes the opening of the sheath has been narrowed with resin / wax to fit a blade smaller than the original one.

I have old mendak from East Java but they are very distorted.
For the selut, to find an old one that would adapt to the handle is impossible mission, it would be necessary to make a new one.

[David]

Originally Posted by Athanase

For the selut, to find an old one that would adapt to the handle is impossible mission, it would be necessary to make a new one.

While it might not be best from a purest standpoint, i would think that you could. no doubt, find a silversmith near you who could manufacture a plain silver selut like this one for not very much money (respectively).