Sele from Makassar (Keris Bugis)

kai · 1st September 2005, 10:12 PM

This is a really small dagger which I like a lot! I hope the other keris folks will enjoy it, too...

These are often referred to as boy's or women's keris although the nice kemuning hilt of this example is not undersized. I'd love to hear first-hand stories of their relevance in Bugis culture. BTW, is Dendiyar back from the mountains?

I'm a bit stumped regarding the scabbard which seems very "utilitarian" compared to other Bugis pieces. It's made from very light wood - maybe pine?!? Assuming that one day I may want to upgrade the scabbard (and pendoko) what would be the most appropriate style for this blade? Pics of actual examples (possibly for blades of this small size) would be greatly appreciated!

There are a few rust spots which I'm going to tackle by electrolytic rust removal. The dry wood of the scabbard could use some boiled linseed oil, I guess. Any veto or suggestions what else to fix/exchange while I'm at it? General comments very welcome, too!

This sele also came with a story: The former owner was invited to eat at the home of a chess acquaintance in Ujung Pandang. There he chanced over a small keris collection. Bold as longnoses sometimes are, he asked wether the host might be interested to part from a keris or two but was going to be turned down by him. However, his wife happened to vote for the money - the ultimate nightmare of married collectors (some of us can relate to that)...

[I like the thought that the poor husband had his wits about him and sold off a blade from his wife's lineage!

]

Regards,
Kai

(blade pics: hilt turned for photography...)

kai · 1st September 2005, 10:17 PM

(left side)

kai · 1st September 2005, 10:19 PM

(right side)

kai · 1st September 2005, 11:08 PM

Sorry, measurements to follow soon...

kai · 2nd September 2005, 12:07 AM

BTW, I assume that this keris is Makassarese? If so, is it politically correct to pigeon-hole it as a "Keris Bugis" or is there a more suitable catch-all term?

Alam Shah · 2nd September 2005, 03:08 AM

Hi Kai,

The blade looks like a javanese patrem with it's thin and longer ganja.
It looks as though it was reshaped from a longer piece. The pamor lines
does not flow with the luks.
(I have a javanese patrem, of a different form. See here).

The blade and the sandang walikat sheath form looks complementary to each other.

In your assembly, the hilt and pendokok (hilt cup) looks a little 'out of place'.
Without the longer 'neck' of the pendokok, the hilt would probably would not
fit the entire length of the peksi. The hulu and pendokok is of the Sulawesi (Celebes) form.

I have a short Sulawesi keris with a mini tebeng-styled sheath. See it here.
(The sheath is complementary to the form. But don't follow my pendokok

. Wrong styled. Mine is a peninsular styled pendokok.)

Nevertheless, should you decide to change the sheath, I would recommend a tebeng-styled sheath or another Sulawesi form (see here).

Feel free to disagree.

1st September 2005, 10:12 PM	#1
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,248	Sele from Makassar (Keris Bugis) This is a really small dagger which I like a lot! I hope the other keris folks will enjoy it, too... These are often referred to as boy's or women's keris although the nice kemuning hilt of this example is not undersized. I'd love to hear first-hand stories of their relevance in Bugis culture. BTW, is Dendiyar back from the mountains? I'm a bit stumped regarding the scabbard which seems very "utilitarian" compared to other Bugis pieces. It's made from very light wood - maybe pine?!? Assuming that one day I may want to upgrade the scabbard (and pendoko) what would be the most appropriate style for this blade? Pics of actual examples (possibly for blades of this small size) would be greatly appreciated! There are a few rust spots which I'm going to tackle by electrolytic rust removal. The dry wood of the scabbard could use some boiled linseed oil, I guess. Any veto or suggestions what else to fix/exchange while I'm at it? General comments very welcome, too! This sele also came with a story: The former owner was invited to eat at the home of a chess acquaintance in Ujung Pandang. There he chanced over a small keris collection. Bold as longnoses sometimes are, he asked wether the host might be interested to part from a keris or two but was going to be turned down by him. However, his wife happened to vote for the money - the ultimate nightmare of married collectors (some of us can relate to that)... [I like the thought that the poor husband had his wits about him and sold off a blade from his wife's lineage! ] Regards, Kai (blade pics: hilt turned for photography...) Attached Images

1st September 2005, 10:17 PM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,248	close-ups (left side) Attached Images

1st September 2005, 10:19 PM	#3
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,248	more close-ups (right side) Attached Images

2nd September 2005, 12:07 AM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,248	Faux pas? BTW, I assume that this keris is Makassarese? If so, is it politically correct to pigeon-hole it as a "Keris Bugis" or is there a more suitable catch-all term?

1st September 2005, 11:08 PM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,248	Sorry, measurements to follow soon...

2nd September 2005, 03:08 AM	#6
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	Hi Kai, The blade looks like a javanese patrem with it's thin and longer ganja. It looks as though it was reshaped from a longer piece. The pamor lines does not flow with the luks. (I have a javanese patrem, of a different form. See here). The blade and the sandang walikat sheath form looks complementary to each other. In your assembly, the hilt and pendokok (hilt cup) looks a little 'out of place'. Without the longer 'neck' of the pendokok, the hilt would probably would not fit the entire length of the peksi. The hulu and pendokok is of the Sulawesi (Celebes) form. I have a short Sulawesi keris with a mini tebeng-styled sheath. See it here. (The sheath is complementary to the form. But don't follow my pendokok . Wrong styled. Mine is a peninsular styled pendokok.) Nevertheless, should you decide to change the sheath, I would recommend a tebeng-styled sheath or another Sulawesi form (see here). Feel free to disagree.