Keris for comment

A. G. Maisey · 19th January 2019, 09:44 PM

As has often been repeated in this forum, it is somewhere between difficult and impossible classify any keris according to the tangguh parameters.

However, what we can do is to comment upon what we can see on the screen in front of us, and what we can see may or may not be an accurate representation of a blade. To give a defensible opinion we need to handle a blade.

In respect of this keris.

The Pajajaran classification has at least three sub-classifications.

This keris presents a number of indicators which could permit a classification of Pajajaran, but as already noted, I am not able to state with any certainty that in my opinion this is a tangguh Pajajaran keris. The gonjo might be an old replacement.

However, the wrongko and hilt are definitely not in any way, shape or form, able to be associated with Pajajaran. As Jean has already advised, the wrongko is most likely a kagok capu form, I qualify this name with "most likely" because there are several similar forms and we really need the wrongko in hand to be definite.

The pendok blewah is mid quality Central Javanese, the engraving in the crest on the reverse side does not represent any script I can identify. Material is probably gold plated brass.

The hilt is a Surakarta planar form, I cannot identify the exact form from a photograph, nor can I comment on quality from a photograph, however, it does not seem to have been produced by a craftsman located in the region surrounding Surakarta.

The mendak is a kendit form, the kendit or belt being formed by stones which appear to be yakut (rose cut rock crystal). It is probably gold plated brass.

All in all this is a nicely presented formal style of Central Javanese keris, it has an old blade, and whether it is actually classifiable as Pajajaran or not, it is a nice and a very collectable keris blade.

Kai, with my apologies, this blade does not resemble Madura sepuh in even the smallest degree.

In respect of the blumbangan, I cannot make my mind up what shape it really is, it is shown in several images, and in each one it has a different shape.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

19th January 2019, 09:44 PM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,047	As has often been repeated in this forum, it is somewhere between difficult and impossible classify any keris according to the tangguh parameters. However, what we can do is to comment upon what we can see on the screen in front of us, and what we can see may or may not be an accurate representation of a blade. To give a defensible opinion we need to handle a blade. In respect of this keris. The Pajajaran classification has at least three sub-classifications. This keris presents a number of indicators which could permit a classification of Pajajaran, but as already noted, I am not able to state with any certainty that in my opinion this is a tangguh Pajajaran keris. The gonjo might be an old replacement. However, the wrongko and hilt are definitely not in any way, shape or form, able to be associated with Pajajaran. As Jean has already advised, the wrongko is most likely a kagok capu form, I qualify this name with "most likely" because there are several similar forms and we really need the wrongko in hand to be definite. The pendok blewah is mid quality Central Javanese, the engraving in the crest on the reverse side does not represent any script I can identify. Material is probably gold plated brass. The hilt is a Surakarta planar form, I cannot identify the exact form from a photograph, nor can I comment on quality from a photograph, however, it does not seem to have been produced by a craftsman located in the region surrounding Surakarta. The mendak is a kendit form, the kendit or belt being formed by stones which appear to be yakut (rose cut rock crystal). It is probably gold plated brass. All in all this is a nicely presented formal style of Central Javanese keris, it has an old blade, and whether it is actually classifiable as Pajajaran or not, it is a nice and a very collectable keris blade. Kai, with my apologies, this blade does not resemble Madura sepuh in even the smallest degree. In respect of the blumbangan, I cannot make my mind up what shape it really is, it is shown in several images, and in each one it has a different shape.