I'd Like to Learn More About This Peninsula(???) Keris

CharlesS · 11th September 2020, 05:27 PM

Keris Forum Members,

I recently attended a swap meet where I picked up some very unique (to my eye) kerises. I am hoping you can help me learn more about what I am assuming here is a peninsula keris. It has some unique features including added sterling silver quality inserts on the handle and silver ganja, along with a nicely worked silver pendoko. The blade is non-contrasting pamor steel.

I will show the others I picked up in later, separate, threads.

Thanks for any input on this keris type.

Interested Party · 11th September 2020, 05:38 PM

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=26140

A starting point. I would love to know more as well.

Peter Andeweg · 11th September 2020, 06:36 PM

Interesting keris,
Coming from Sumatra. The antropomorphic hilt is called Jawa-Demam and typical for the Palembang and Minankabau region. The scabbard and blade are in Panjang style, usually called execution keris. The shape of the blade, the wranka and lower end of the gandar. The silver ganja is quite unusual.
The ornamentation on the hilt seem to be of a kind of silver allow which is riveted on all corners? Usually these hilts are decorated with carved floral motives or limbs, but not with this many added decoration, which could be of slightly later date in order of the fashion of the owner.

All the best, Peter

kai · 11th September 2020, 10:23 PM

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=26140

David · 12th September 2020, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Andeweg

The scabbard and blade are in Panjang style, usually called execution keris.

Peter, i'd like to know the blade length. I suspect this keris might well be anak alang, not panjang.

CharlesS · 12th September 2020, 12:23 AM

Sorry fellas, I did not realize that this keris had already been examined in a previous thread.

David · 12th September 2020, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Sorry fellas, I did not realize that this keris had already been examined in a previous thread.

No worries Charles.It was fairly recently actually. You should scan our forum more often. LOL!

I could simply merge the two threads.
In the meantime i'd still love to know how long the blade is.

CharlesS · 12th September 2020, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

In the meantime, I'd still love to know how long the blade is.

Thanks for your input, David. The blade is 16in. overall, and like you, I do not believe it was meant to be a panjang.

Battara · 13th September 2020, 12:29 AM

I remember this keris from a recent auction.

I too am curious.

A. G. Maisey · 13th September 2020, 01:28 AM

The terms "keris panjang" (ie, "long keris") & "executioner keris" are a western collector invention.

A "keris Bangkalan" is a keris from Bangkalan that has a blade between 49 - 68cm.

These Bangkalan keris were copied by makers from Bangka, Belitung and Kampar, but these copies were shorter than the Bangkalan keris and usually only measured 42 - 45cm. These Bangkinang keris and especially the copies were taken into Sumatera by salesmen (pedagang), Bangkinang was a transit point/crossroads for salesmen from Sumatera and Malaya. It is possible that some were made locally in Sumatera, but looking at the record of keris blade manufacture and usage in Sumatera this seems unlikely, it is more likely that blades were taken into Sumatera and dressed there.

These copies became very popular with seamen and because of this they came to be known as "Keris Bahari" --- "bahari" is an Arab word that means something associated with the sea.

In Brunei and some other parts of SE Asia these "long keris" were known as "Keris Penyalang". I used to know a gentleman from Brunei who understood a "Keris Penyalang" to indicate a keris used in executions, but I do not know the meaning of "penyalang", it seems to indicate something crossways or at an angle.

11th September 2020, 05:27 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	I'd Like to Learn More About This Peninsula(???) Keris Keris Forum Members, I recently attended a swap meet where I picked up some very unique (to my eye) kerises. I am hoping you can help me learn more about what I am assuming here is a peninsula keris. It has some unique features including added sterling silver quality inserts on the handle and silver ganja, along with a nicely worked silver pendoko. The blade is non-contrasting pamor steel. I will show the others I picked up in later, separate, threads. Thanks for any input on this keris type. Attached Images

11th September 2020, 05:38 PM	#2
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 465	http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=26140 A starting point. I would love to know more as well.

11th September 2020, 06:36 PM	#3
Peter Andeweg Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Vlissingen, Netherlands Posts: 71	Interesting keris, Coming from Sumatra. The antropomorphic hilt is called Jawa-Demam and typical for the Palembang and Minankabau region. The scabbard and blade are in Panjang style, usually called execution keris. The shape of the blade, the wranka and lower end of the gandar. The silver ganja is quite unusual. The ornamentation on the hilt seem to be of a kind of silver allow which is riveted on all corners? Usually these hilts are decorated with carved floral motives or limbs, but not with this many added decoration, which could be of slightly later date in order of the fashion of the owner. All the best, Peter

11th September 2020, 10:23 PM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=26140

12th September 2020, 12:23 AM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Sorry fellas, I did not realize that this keris had already been examined in a previous thread.

13th September 2020, 12:29 AM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I remember this keris from a recent auction. I too am curious.

13th September 2020, 01:28 AM	#10
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,888	The terms "keris panjang" (ie, "long keris") & "executioner keris" are a western collector invention. A "keris Bangkalan" is a keris from Bangkalan that has a blade between 49 - 68cm. These Bangkalan keris were copied by makers from Bangka, Belitung and Kampar, but these copies were shorter than the Bangkalan keris and usually only measured 42 - 45cm. These Bangkinang keris and especially the copies were taken into Sumatera by salesmen (pedagang), Bangkinang was a transit point/crossroads for salesmen from Sumatera and Malaya. It is possible that some were made locally in Sumatera, but looking at the record of keris blade manufacture and usage in Sumatera this seems unlikely, it is more likely that blades were taken into Sumatera and dressed there. These copies became very popular with seamen and because of this they came to be known as "Keris Bahari" --- "bahari" is an Arab word that means something associated with the sea. In Brunei and some other parts of SE Asia these "long keris" were known as "Keris Penyalang". I used to know a gentleman from Brunei who understood a "Keris Penyalang" to indicate a keris used in executions, but I do not know the meaning of "penyalang", it seems to indicate something crossways or at an angle.