Javanese Kriss in Savu dress

Athanase · 26th April 2025, 08:58 PM

Hello

I'm sharing with you an original discovery.
I recently acquired this strange blend of cultures.
A Javanese Kriss blade mounted with a scabbard and a Savu hilt (where it was purchased in the 1980s).
I heard a legend saying that when the Majapahit kingdom became Muslim, some of the nobility who refused to convert were exiled to the island of Savu.
The seller thought this story represented the origin of the Kriss blade.
Personally, I don't think the blade is that old, and that it's much more likely the result of trade or diplomatic gifts.

Sajen · 26th April 2025, 11:35 PM

Very nice catch and most interesting. Was it purchased on Savu from yourself?

Regards,
Detlef

Athanase · 27th April 2025, 10:50 AM

No, it is purchase by a french dealer, who collect many blades and textils in timor archipelago in 70s, 80s and 90s.

Athanase · 27th April 2025, 07:37 PM

I have more infos : This Kriss was purchased from a royal family of Dimu district (and now established in Kupang ).

Sajen · 27th April 2025, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Athanase

No, it is purchase by a french dealer, who collect many blades and textils in timor archipelago in 70s, 80s and 90s.

Like said before, it's a most interesting dagger!

David · 28th April 2025, 03:32 PM

I think this probably belongs on the Keris Forum despite its non-traditional dress, so i am transferring it over there.
It is an older keris, but i don't think it dates back to Mojopahit. The fact that the gonjo is missing make it even harder to place in a period.

A. G. Maisey · 28th April 2025, 11:43 PM

Yes David, I agree with you, this is definitely not a keris that would fit into Majapahit parameters, the main thing that excludes it from a Mojo classification is that the blumbangan is square, this is a Mataram indicator, specific as well as generic.

It might be worth remembering that Javanese blades were traded & shipped all over SE Asia from Majapahit times through into at least the 18th century, & possibly later. They were even shipped to Sri Lanka and Southern India.

It is not at all unusual to find a Javanese blade of any style in dress from a place other than Jawa.

26th April 2025, 08:58 PM	#1
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 428	Javanese Kriss in Savu dress Hello I'm sharing with you an original discovery. I recently acquired this strange blend of cultures. A Javanese Kriss blade mounted with a scabbard and a Savu hilt (where it was purchased in the 1980s). I heard a legend saying that when the Majapahit kingdom became Muslim, some of the nobility who refused to convert were exiled to the island of Savu. The seller thought this story represented the origin of the Kriss blade. Personally, I don't think the blade is that old, and that it's much more likely the result of trade or diplomatic gifts. Attached Images

26th April 2025, 11:35 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,405	Very nice catch and most interesting. Was it purchased on Savu from yourself? Regards, Detlef

27th April 2025, 10:50 AM	#3
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 428	No, it is purchase by a french dealer, who collect many blades and textils in timor archipelago in 70s, 80s and 90s.

27th April 2025, 07:37 PM	#4
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 428	I have more infos : This Kriss was purchased from a royal family of Dimu district (and now established in Kupang ).

28th April 2025, 03:32 PM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	I think this probably belongs on the Keris Forum despite its non-traditional dress, so i am transferring it over there. It is an older keris, but i don't think it dates back to Mojopahit. The fact that the gonjo is missing make it even harder to place in a period.

28th April 2025, 11:43 PM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,079	Yes David, I agree with you, this is definitely not a keris that would fit into Majapahit parameters, the main thing that excludes it from a Mojo classification is that the blumbangan is square, this is a Mataram indicator, specific as well as generic. It might be worth remembering that Javanese blades were traded & shipped all over SE Asia from Majapahit times through into at least the 18th century, & possibly later. They were even shipped to Sri Lanka and Southern India. It is not at all unusual to find a Javanese blade of any style in dress from a place other than Jawa.