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#1 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
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Please help here,
This is a small keris i have just bought. Its 8 inches blade has a strange particularity; instead of having its sides regularly plane it has, how to say, some hollows or waves ![]() I hope this is visible in the pictures, as i wouldn't know how to put it in a propper english ![]() Seller has dated the blade XVI century and the handle XIX century. I would be much obliged for your coments, namely on the blade typology, attributed age plausibility, and whatever you kindly offer from your knowledge. Fernando |
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#2 |
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Hi Fernando, the depressions in the blade are called "pichit" and are supposed to be made by the smith forming the metal with the thumb-not a technique I've ever used in any of my blades
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#3 |
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Looks to me as a keris bethok pichit. Bethok is the dapur name and the pichit as Lemmy said are the thumb prints of the empu.
But I really doubt the blade is XVI century. |
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#4 |
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Nice keris picit. These are talismanic keris. As suggested the imprints are supposed to be done with the fingers of the maker. They are certainly less common, but not paticularly strange.
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#5 |
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Thank you all, for your teachings.
No David, there is no sheath ![]() The blade is 8 inches ( 21 cms. ) long. The mendak (correct ?) is in copper. I am not at home at the moment ( in Lisbon visiting my daughter ... and arms shopping ![]() When i get back, i will adventure to dismount the hilt and take pictures of the pesi. Could you meanwhile tell what region this keris come from ? Thanks a lot. Fernando Last edited by fernando; 20th April 2008 at 02:50 PM. |
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#6 |
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As far as the exact region i could not say, but it is probably safe to say Jawa is the place of origin. I am curious to see if the pesi has a hole, or the remains of a hole, in the end of it. The size seems right for talismanic purposes and often these keris were hung by these holes in special places of importance. It is possible that this keris was never intended to have a hilt at all and it would be no surprise then that it would also be sheathless.
Given the look of the material in the photo at least i would also not be surprised to find that this blade is at least 1700s if not older. ![]() |
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#7 |
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Hi David,
Oh boy, you sure are a master of these things, and i bow before your knowledge ![]() The pesi actually has the remains of a hole in its end. Further coments are so much welcome ... i'm all ears ![]() Fernando |
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#8 |
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Yep, that's what i expected to see. I have a very similar keris to this so it's certainly not that i am a "master of these things" (or anything really), just going on what i have seen first hand.
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#9 |
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Hi David,
Allright, if you are not a "master", then sure you are a "mister" ( coach, in local soccer lexicon ) ![]() Resuming and according to what i have learnt here and after doing a little Net browsing, namely on glossary: This piece has a dapur bentok ( curved ) pichit ( finger pressed ) blade. Its dimensions and charactertistics fit into a talismanic blade. Probable date XVII century. Possible provenance Jawa; the hilt ( ukiran ) could be XIX century and is typical from central Jawa, right ? You mention they are hung in special places of importance; like where ... residential places ? I have read something about hanging them in the house roof central beams; does this make sense ? I notice that the pesi is a bit bent; this is a fault and not a deliberate situation, right ? i can easily clamp it in a padded vice and unbend it. Is its pamor easy to tipify ? Sorry to be such a bore. Fernando |
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#10 |
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I strongly suggest that you leave the pesi strictly alone.
Do not put it into a vice, nor take to it with a hammer. Leave as is. |
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#11 | |
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#12 |
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Allright, allright
![]() Will just derust it with some penetrating oil. Thanks for the hints. Fernando |
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#13 |
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The bent pesi is quite normal for most kerises - I believe it was deliberately forged that way.
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#14 | |
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Thank you |
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