Bali keris with Sunggingan at The Met

jagabuwana · 24th February 2022, 02:27 AM

This is a keris that struck my inexperienced eyes as superbly executed. I think I'd be awestruck if I were to see it in person.

It was donated by the Fletcher Fund in 1928, which I believe was a fund created with the bequest of Isaac Dudley Fletcher (died 1917).

Given that the photographs look quite recent, the condition of the keris is remarkable.

- From the photos, can we tell how old this keris might be?
- What might the dress tell us about its owner/custodian?

Sources / notes:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/34799
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Dudley_Fletcher
Image first image has been flipped and rotated so as to show a more favourable angle of the blade.

jagabuwana · 24th February 2022, 02:38 AM

A closer look at the figure on the handle

Battara · 24th February 2022, 02:53 AM

I have seen the hilt before but not the blade. i like the etch and effect.

jagabuwana · 24th February 2022, 06:16 AM

Me too Battara. Is it wos wutah?

jagabuwana · 24th February 2022, 06:21 AM

Here is another from the MET, bequested by arms collector George C. Stone in 1928. That hilt is amazing.

The original is in b&w, which I then ran through a colouriser.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/24313
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Cameron_Stone

David · 24th February 2022, 08:37 PM

The MET has some fine keris in it's collection.
We so rarely get to see original Balinese stain in this condition. Looks beautiful.
I don't think the second one is not Balinese though. Beautiful nonetheless.

24th February 2022, 02:27 AM	#1
jagabuwana Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 280	Bali keris with Sunggingan at The Met This is a keris that struck my inexperienced eyes as superbly executed. I think I'd be awestruck if I were to see it in person. It was donated by the Fletcher Fund in 1928, which I believe was a fund created with the bequest of Isaac Dudley Fletcher (died 1917). Given that the photographs look quite recent, the condition of the keris is remarkable. - From the photos, can we tell how old this keris might be? - What might the dress tell us about its owner/custodian? Sources / notes: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/34799 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Dudley_Fletcher Image first image has been flipped and rotated so as to show a more favourable angle of the blade. Attached Images

24th February 2022, 02:38 AM	#2
jagabuwana Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 280	A closer look at the figure on the handle Attached Images

24th February 2022, 06:21 AM	#5
jagabuwana Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 280	Here is another from the MET, bequested by arms collector George C. Stone in 1928. That hilt is amazing. The original is in b&w, which I then ran through a colouriser. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/24313 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Cameron_Stone Attached Images

24th February 2022, 02:53 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,187	I have seen the hilt before but not the blade. i like the etch and effect.

24th February 2022, 06:16 AM	#4
jagabuwana Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 280	Me too Battara. Is it wos wutah?

24th February 2022, 08:37 PM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,085	The MET has some fine keris in it's collection. We so rarely get to see original Balinese stain in this condition. Looks beautiful. I don't think the second one is not Balinese though. Beautiful nonetheless.