Pandai Saras from Kelantan/Narathiwat

[BluErf]

Just got this keris. A Kelantan/Narathiwat Pandai Saras.

Note the huge proportion of the ron dha on the kembang kacang and the unusual janggut on top of the kembang kacang and the greneng on the aring side. The deep ron dha on the kembang kacang seemed to be unique to kerises from the Kelantan/Narathiwat area.

The nearly full-circle incisions in the janggut is usually found in the middle part of the kembang kacang of other N. Malayan kerises I've seen, but in this case, its near the top. More unusually, it is replicated on the greneng on the other side. The greneng is also the most 'inorganic' I've seen. In other cases, the greneng seemed to replicate leaves.

The aring ends with a razor-thin 'flap' that curls nicely downwards. Very unusual too. Its very thin, but sturdy. A nice touch, I'd say.

I have a pet theory on the greneng -- notice that only the top ron dha and grenwng are fully formed, and as we move down towards the aring, the ron dha and greneng seemed to 'melt away' into more indistinct shapes. I hypothesize that this was by design rather than due to wearing down of the greneng.

1. This is because the overall good condition of the keris and the completeness of the perabots suggests that the keris had not been subject to much rust/corrosion.

2. Another hint comes from the fact that the overall profile from the top of the greneng to the aring is very 'smooth' and in harmony. If it had protruding greneng for the 2nd and 3rd ron dha, it would probably have broken that profile.

3. Finally, the 1st ron dha is the most distinct. The 2nd one sort of 'sinks' into the profile further, and becomes slightly flatter, though the 'w' outline is still visible. The last one is the most indistinct, like 'fading' into nothing. So the overall design could be one of ron dhas rising out from 'nothingness'.

Well, I could be wrong. What do you think? A result of corrosion?

Anyway, I also attach pics of my Pattani Pandai Saras for comparison. Notice the difference in luk style, greneng and perabots. But both blade belongs to the same family.