Two Tombak

[A. G. Maisey]

Martin, I do not know of any publication that provides commentary on Indonesian tombak, however there are references to tombak scattered through a number of publications.

The book "Dhapur" published by Yayasan Damartaji is perhaps the only publication we have that can assist to a limited degree in the classification according to form (dhapur). This publication draws upon the Surakarta work of Sunaryo, who was an abdi dalem of the Surakarta Karaton, and who in turn drew upon the original work of KT Sastrodiningrat.

The word "bulet" in the descriptions that you have is incorrect.

"Bulet" is a dialectical corruption of "bulat", which in Malay -- & Bahasa Indonesia -- means "round", I guess that this is a reference to the small round fitting at the junction between blade & tang, the correct name for this in Javanese is "metuk", and it is a major identifier of tombak classification.

I do not want to deal one by one with the classifications that you have been given. Tombak are not at all easy to classify, & I could not genuinely support any opinion I might give of these tombak if I base that opinion on a photograph.

However I will make a couple of comments on what I believe I can see in the photos.

The tombak with the Bonaspati scabbard is probably Balinese.In Solo the scabbard of a tombak is usually referred to as its "tutup" = "cover" (also "tutupi"/"tutupe"), wrongko/warangka is also acceptable.

I believe there are several tombak that in the hand would be able to be classified as Mataram, one as perhaps Mataram Sultan Agung, one as perhaps Pajajaran, the supposedly 900 year old Jenggala one is a total impossibility, the tombak with pedaringan kebak pamor that is supposedly Surakarta does not seem to align with anything I understand about Surakarta tombak form, however, if I handled it I might change my mind.

All in all, a very nice little group of tombak.

Tombak are very much under valued by collectors outside of Javanese culture. They are tosan aji, they can be respected as highly as pusaka keris, even today they are still encountered in racks in some Javanese homes, something that seldom applies to keris, but is common with tombak.