Authentic Singha

Gustav · 30th August 2019, 11:16 AM

Dear Kerislovers,

yesterday an interesting Keris was auctioned, I think it would be good to preserve the pictures of it here.

It appears to be a Keris from 17th cent. with an original Singha and 17th cent. hilt. Gonjo could be an old replacement.

The non-standard Greneng of this kind is the second one I see on an old piece, the other one being Dresden 2888 (in fact some years ago there was another interesting blade dressed as Keris Bali with this Greneng). It may be coincidence, but the hilts on both Keris represent an aggressive appearance with visible fangs, different from common North/West(?) hilts.

Are there some opinions, in which context in time and space such comparably simple Singha, so different from Mataram Singha, such Greneng and such hilt variation could appear?

Green · 30th August 2019, 07:17 PM

Congrats to the winner. I was watching this one for sometimes in the past few weeks when suddenly the bids went mad . somebody either know the provenance of this keris or wanted it badly for some reasons.

Anthony G. · 31st August 2019, 05:00 AM

keris owned by warrior or royalty?

A. G. Maisey · 31st August 2019, 07:30 AM

I doubt that I am looking at a Javanese wilah here. At least, the Singo Barong is not in any Javanese style that I can recognise, to my eye this singo looks Cambodian, or maybe Kymer or Thai, or even Burmese. It does not look Javanese. I think it might be more correct to refer to this form as a Chinthe, and if we do that this terminology removes it from a Javanese reference. The rondha is equally strange.

But if we remove the rondha/greneng and the singo from consideration the blade probably can be accepted as Javanese.

Maybe the maker had a holiday in Bangkok before he started work? Did they have resorts and massage girls and other sorts of relaxing innovations back then? If not, well they should have had.

Maybe it was ordered by a visiting or ex patriot Cambodian? Lots of Javanese links with Cambodia in olden times.

Or possibly for export? The Javanese did export weapons and weapon blades all over South East Asia.

David · 31st August 2019, 03:14 PM

i can see all of Alan's points here. This singo certainly does not appear to be Javanese and the greneng is also very strange for that origin. But much of the blade could indeed be Javanese. An interesting mystery.

kai · 1st September 2019, 01:42 AM

Just because a hilt is old, an accompanying blade should not be assumed to be of similar age without evidence.

However, if we accept Dresden 2888 as originating from the Jawa-Bali nexus, I see no real reason to not seriously examine the hypothesis that this blade may be of similar origin and age (despite the somewhat crude lion)!

As Gustav mentioned, the gonjo may be a replacement; the blade does exhibit clear pamor extending over the carved figure: While I haven't been able to examine this blade in person, the lion seems to be legit and the blade most likely to originate from Indonesia...

Regards,
Kai

30th August 2019, 11:16 AM	#1
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,249	Authentic Singha Dear Kerislovers, yesterday an interesting Keris was auctioned, I think it would be good to preserve the pictures of it here. It appears to be a Keris from 17th cent. with an original Singha and 17th cent. hilt. Gonjo could be an old replacement. The non-standard Greneng of this kind is the second one I see on an old piece, the other one being Dresden 2888 (in fact some years ago there was another interesting blade dressed as Keris Bali with this Greneng). It may be coincidence, but the hilts on both Keris represent an aggressive appearance with visible fangs, different from common North/West(?) hilts. Are there some opinions, in which context in time and space such comparably simple Singha, so different from Mataram Singha, such Greneng and such hilt variation could appear? Attached Images

31st August 2019, 07:30 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,893	I doubt that I am looking at a Javanese wilah here. At least, the Singo Barong is not in any Javanese style that I can recognise, to my eye this singo looks Cambodian, or maybe Kymer or Thai, or even Burmese. It does not look Javanese. I think it might be more correct to refer to this form as a Chinthe, and if we do that this terminology removes it from a Javanese reference. The rondha is equally strange. But if we remove the rondha/greneng and the singo from consideration the blade probably can be accepted as Javanese. Maybe the maker had a holiday in Bangkok before he started work? Did they have resorts and massage girls and other sorts of relaxing innovations back then? If not, well they should have had. Maybe it was ordered by a visiting or ex patriot Cambodian? Lots of Javanese links with Cambodia in olden times. Or possibly for export? The Javanese did export weapons and weapon blades all over South East Asia. Last edited by A. G. Maisey; 31st August 2019 at 10:38 AM. Reason: after thought

30th August 2019, 07:17 PM	#2
Green Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Malaysia Posts: 312	Congrats to the winner. I was watching this one for sometimes in the past few weeks when suddenly the bids went mad . somebody either know the provenance of this keris or wanted it badly for some reasons.

31st August 2019, 05:00 AM	#3
Anthony G. Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 463	keris owned by warrior or royalty?

31st August 2019, 03:14 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,124	i can see all of Alan's points here. This singo certainly does not appear to be Javanese and the greneng is also very strange for that origin. But much of the blade could indeed be Javanese. An interesting mystery.

1st September 2019, 01:42 AM	#6
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Just because a hilt is old, an accompanying blade should not be assumed to be of similar age without evidence. However, if we accept Dresden 2888 as originating from the Jawa-Bali nexus, I see no real reason to not seriously examine the hypothesis that this blade may be of similar origin and age (despite the somewhat crude lion)! As Gustav mentioned, the gonjo may be a replacement; the blade does exhibit clear pamor extending over the carved figure: While I haven't been able to examine this blade in person, the lion seems to be legit and the blade most likely to originate from Indonesia... Regards, Kai