Appreciation of a Bugis kind

[BluErf]

Haven't started any threads for a long time, so thought I'd do so and share pictures of a keris I acquired recently. Some of you would probably recognize it, even though I've changed the hilt and pendoko to something more appropriate.

Ok, this is straits Bugis keris blade, dressed in what I believe to be a Terengganu/Kelantan sheath. So accordingly, I've replaced the hilt it came with (which was probably a copy made by a Javanese/Madurese carver) with an old hilt of Terengganu/Kelantan origin. As to why this is a Terengganu/Kelantan sheath could be the subject of some discussion (if anyone is interested to go into). The sheath was made for the blade, given the very good fit and proportions, so the probability of it being a composite/put-together is small.

The blade is a simple sepokal form, but simply executed it is not. The overall look of the blade is harmonious and graceful.

The width of the blade reduces gradually from the base to the tip, but in a way that still gives it a "pregnant" look, and therefore a "substantial" and sturdy look.

The tip could have been re-shaped (probably due to the tip chipping off), but at any rate, the domed-shape tip is beautifully done, and complements the flowing lines in the rest of the blade, especially at the base.

The arc in the blade can be described as sweet and sublime. Look at some of the other sepokals around and you'd probably get what I'm saying. I especially like side of the blade that has the aring, because that's where the curve feeds into the aring, which has a nice curl-up at the end. The ganja flares out nicely from gandik to the aring side.

The pamor is non-contrasting, but has quite a few layers in it, and is well controlled within the centre of the blade. There is a "ujung gunung" at the base, as is common in most Bugis keris blades, however, the rest of the pamor can best be described as "adeg", which would make it a slighltly unusual combination (most common are ujung gunung + kulit semangka).

Handling-wise, the keris has a nice weight to it, not too heavy, but enough to give a good momentum to a thrust, and light enough for quick movements.

The kemuning used to make the sampir is a beautifully selected piece. The dark band tracing the curving top line of the sampir has been seen in a few examples, and invariably all sheaths of good or top-end kerises. The grain of the wood is tight, and has nice "kerinting" (or waviness). The sampir is also well-formed, with the right curves, not just from the front, but from the side as well.

A simple but "sedap" keris, not just visually, but when held in the hand. This last bit is important for a Bugis keris because a Bugis (I'd say Malay as well) keris is nothing without that practical aspect.

I hope you enjoy this keris as much as I do! I'm practically always carrying it around my apartment when I'm at home.