Java Keris

Gavin Nugent · 29th March 2023, 12:06 PM

I have kept several Java keris over the years but have never really dived beyond the surface or the type, typically, just kept what I have liked for one reason or another.

When I think about this and it may be what I consider the complex science behind them that hasn't had me delve deeper...

So, in the interest of learning, I present this example. I kept it for the robust blade and 3 luks mostly. The sleeve is silver washed and the motif repeated to the end.

My knowledge, may be incorrect, but in the interest of learning, this is about as far as my knowledge goes. Surakarta "Gayaman" style dress, 3 luk blade.

I welcome data and insights that can lead me to further learnings. Having the subject matter in hand will help this.

I am also curious as to an age estimate.

With thanks

Gavin

PS, I have aligned the images in the best orientation I could, if incorrect, please edit.

David · 29th March 2023, 05:54 PM

Hi Gavin.
I wouldn't say this is a very old keris, but has some age. Sorry i can't be more specific. The ricikan have not been very expertly formed. The greneng is most confusing to me. Besides being badly cut it looks as if the upper ron dha crosses between the gonjo and the blade. I have never seen that before and wonder if the greneng might have been added later as an after thought.
I am curious why it being a 3 luk is one of the reasons you have kept it.

Gavin Nugent · 30th March 2023, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Hi Gavin.
I wouldn't say this is a very old keris, but has some age. Sorry i can't be more specific. The ricikan have not been very expertly formed. The greneng is most confusing to me. Besides being badly cut it looks as if the upper ron dha crosses between the gonjo and the blade. I have never seen that before and wonder if the greneng might have been added later as an after thought.
I am curious why it being a 3 luk is one of the reasons you have kept it.

Hi David,

Thank you. I look forward to learning through the eyes of more learned students of Keris.

Funny, thing, and I know it should be properly treated, but in the first image of the blade's base... mid way, left side, there also appears to be Ron Dha like symbolism in the pamore... probably nothing and an etch would clear this up, but I figured it worth a mention.
The Greneng appears consistent with age, wear and pamor as the blade, and the subtleties elude me.

Why 3 luk was a mitigating factor in keeping it... overall, the entire keris and it's form appealed to me as did the thick nature of the blade and the (to my eye) the strong beautiful curves of the luk. be it folklore or modern lore, I read somewhere that 3 luk is symbolizing a success to achieve some wishes.. I thought that was pretty interesting... in other keris cultures, 3 luk is the symbol of a warrior... I do not know if that equates within Java Lore.

David · 30th March 2023, 06:07 AM

While I certainly believe it is true the the number of luk have meaning I believe that meaning is very likely different not only based upon which keris bearing culture we are discussing, but also which era or kingdom the keris originated from. I am afraid I cannot at this time confirm what you have heard about 3 luk keris regarding Javanese keris. If I am not mistaken I believe originally in the time before Islam the number of luk would relate to you particular station in life. And related to the number of roofs in temple shrines.
I was not suggesting the greneng was added at a much later date, just a possible afterthought. It may in fact be original to the keris, but it is cut incorrectly for a Javanese blade. Probably a better reason for this is simply that it was done by an inexperienced village smith who didn’t know any better. At any rate it looks odd.
Staining the blade could be helpful in revealing more information about this blade .

Gavin Nugent · 13th April 2023, 03:36 AM

Thanks David,

I figured there would have been more to the learning about this keris.

So Village made Gayaman style dress, 3 luk blade sums it up.

Gavin

Marcokeris · 13th April 2023, 02:43 PM

Years ago a great scholar in yogya told me that 3-curved kris are quite rare for the reason that it is very difficult to find the right harmony on three curves that develop over the entire length of the blade and only a few blacksmiths are (or were)able to obtain it. One of them was L'empu Jeno.
This right harmony I can see in your kris, Gavin
About the pendok, at first glance it seems to me a motif used in Yogya...but maybe I'm wrong, because the upper end of the pendok fits perfectly to the gayaman

29th March 2023, 12:06 PM	#1
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Java Keris I have kept several Java keris over the years but have never really dived beyond the surface or the type, typically, just kept what I have liked for one reason or another. When I think about this and it may be what I consider the complex science behind them that hasn't had me delve deeper... So, in the interest of learning, I present this example. I kept it for the robust blade and 3 luks mostly. The sleeve is silver washed and the motif repeated to the end. My knowledge, may be incorrect, but in the interest of learning, this is about as far as my knowledge goes. Surakarta "Gayaman" style dress, 3 luk blade. I welcome data and insights that can lead me to further learnings. Having the subject matter in hand will help this. I am also curious as to an age estimate. With thanks Gavin PS, I have aligned the images in the best orientation I could, if incorrect, please edit. Attached Images

29th March 2023, 05:54 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,126	Hi Gavin. I wouldn't say this is a very old keris, but has some age. Sorry i can't be more specific. The ricikan have not been very expertly formed. The greneng is most confusing to me. Besides being badly cut it looks as if the upper ron dha crosses between the gonjo and the blade. I have never seen that before and wonder if the greneng might have been added later as an after thought. I am curious why it being a 3 luk is one of the reasons you have kept it.

30th March 2023, 06:07 AM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,126	While I certainly believe it is true the the number of luk have meaning I believe that meaning is very likely different not only based upon which keris bearing culture we are discussing, but also which era or kingdom the keris originated from. I am afraid I cannot at this time confirm what you have heard about 3 luk keris regarding Javanese keris. If I am not mistaken I believe originally in the time before Islam the number of luk would relate to you particular station in life. And related to the number of roofs in temple shrines. I was not suggesting the greneng was added at a much later date, just a possible afterthought. It may in fact be original to the keris, but it is cut incorrectly for a Javanese blade. Probably a better reason for this is simply that it was done by an inexperienced village smith who didn’t know any better. At any rate it looks odd. Staining the blade could be helpful in revealing more information about this blade .

13th April 2023, 03:36 AM	#5
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Thanks David, I figured there would have been more to the learning about this keris. So Village made Gayaman style dress, 3 luk blade sums it up. Gavin

13th April 2023, 02:43 PM	#6
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	Years ago a great scholar in yogya told me that 3-curved kris are quite rare for the reason that it is very difficult to find the right harmony on three curves that develop over the entire length of the blade and only a few blacksmiths are (or were)able to obtain it. One of them was L'empu Jeno. This right harmony I can see in your kris, Gavin About the pendok, at first glance it seems to me a motif used in Yogya...but maybe I'm wrong, because the upper end of the pendok fits perfectly to the gayaman