Lombok Keris Iconology

[G. Mansfield]

I have been digging through some older purchases and updating them to my website and trying to research some of the examples that I am more unfamiliar with. I purchased this keris about four years ago now and was attracted to it by the elaborate painted sheath along with its pamor blade. From the style, I gathered that it is from the Lombok area. Unfortunately, I do not have a lot of knowledge in this area. I am posting for a response of thoughts from members and help in identification. Primarily, the meaning or symbolism of the painted sheath and approximate dating. Any help is appreciated associtated with the iconology on the subject matter or any additional information on the keris itself would be benificial. Below is how I have the current description listed.

A Fine Lombok Painted Keris (Kris)
Sasak or Balinese
Dutch East Indies (Lombok, Indonesia)
Late 19th - Early 20th century (ca. 1890 - 1925)
Iron, nickel, brass, ruby, glass or pink saphire, wood, hair (likely horse), paint, gold flake (?)
Blade: 41,3cm
Hilt & Blade: 52,1cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 64,1cm
Collection Date: 2020
Collection Number: 148

A fine keris from the Island of Lombok, having a beautifully painted sheath and mounted on a nicely pamored blade. Dating to the late 19th to early 20th century.The blade is straight, double-edged, with a high contrast of nickel pamor against the darker iron background contrasting nicely in coloration. The wooden hulu (hilt) is slightly curved cylindrical and flared at the pommel. There are remnants of a gold flake on the hilt. The grip is plaited with coarse hair (likely horse) woven into the grip with short tufts protruding between the weave. Brass mendaq with two original ruby stones, four colored glass or pink saphire stones, with two stones missing. I can not tell if the stones are glass or pink saphire but presumably glass. They are likely later replacements to the original rubies stones.Finely painted wooden warangka (sheath) carved in kidney shape. On one side, it is painted with colors of black, red, gold, and white, showing a leaping animal while the sheath stem is painted gold. On the reverse side, the same colors are applied to an image of clouds and waves, or possibly florals and dragons. It is not clear what the images represent from my knowledge from the iconology. Minor chips and scuffs to the handle and sheath. A fine and beautifully painted Lombok keris.

https://www.the-mansfield-collection...nted-keris-148

- Geoffrey