Keris Sundang Melayu with a parrot hilt

[VVV]

Here is my latest Malay Keris. This is the first Sundang I have seen with a parrot hilt. Is it Terengganu?
I would appreciate feedback and comments from those of you who are familiar with this variation so I can learn more about it?

Michael

[Henk]

Michael,

Nice and atractive kris. Still my first impression is that it is rather resent. At least the wood.
The parrot reminds me to the touristic rencongs that show up from time to time although this parrot is better executed.

[VVV]

Originally Posted by Henk

Michael,

Nice and atractive kris. Still my first impression is that it is rather resent. At least the wood.
The parrot reminds me to the touristic rencongs that show up from time to time although this parrot is better executed.

Thanks Henk,

Unfortunately I had to use artificial light so the picture is a bit distorted regarding the patina and age of the wood.
But my estimate is also that it isn't 19th C, more probably around the beginning half of the 20th C.
The wood IRL looks a bit like the Keris Sundang Melayu in Tropen that they have on one of their postcards.
(The one with full silver hilt, same scabbard as mine but described as a Sulu Kris).

I haven't yet seen a rencong with a parrot hilt, only tumbuk ladas and a few sewars (and not all of them touristy)?

Frey's book, pict 19 a) and b), shows a quite resembling hilt motif. It's described as a hulu kakatua on a keris from
Perak in the collection of Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
And in van Duuren's The Kris there is also a Malay Keris with cockatoo hilt from Tropen in Amsterdam (p. 52).
Maybe mine comes from the same tourist shop in Medan as those?

Michael

[Newsteel]

Michael,
You are one lucky guy!!! It is beautiful... .

The sampir and scabbard is malay (most probably Terengganu). And typical also you can find at the bottom tip is in the form called the patat lipas, or roaches' back. But I doubt the blade is malay, rather looks like Moro or Sulu. Maybe the blade was fitted to a 'malay clothing'?

As for the parrot hilt, this is the signature of master woodcarver Tengku Ibrahim Tengku Wook in Jertih, Terengganu. It soon become widely popular. Probably the blade is around early 20th century with new fittings late 20th century.

[apolaki]

how does this differ from moro kris?

[David]

I disagree with Newsteel. I think this is most probably a Malay sundang. Just take a look at the gonjo and the way the greneng goes up the blade. This is not a Moro style.

[Henk]

Originally Posted by VVV

I haven't yet seen a rencong with a parrot hilt, only tumbuk ladas and a few sewars (and not all of them touristy)?
Michael

Michael,

The sewars, that´s what i ment. But those tourist sewars are something completely different. But seeing your parrot hilt i remembered those hilts.

Don´t misunderstand me. I certainly like the appearance of this kris but as you mentioned by yourself it is probably around the beginning half of the 20th century. I don´t call this one tourist and flashlight can give a complete different image.

[VVV]

Thanks all for your comments,

Newsteel; Is Tengku Ibrahim Tengku Wook really the only one who carves this hilt?
Or is he famous for rediscovering it or perfecting it? Please explain some more?

David; I agree on the ganja and the greneng not looking Moro.
But this blade is much broader and quite different than the regular Malay blade?

Henk; No bad feelings, just couldn't help thinking about the Medan tourist shop.

Michael