Executioner's Keris For Comment

[Lew]

Newsteel

This may be an older hilt form everything is very tight and seems original to the package that is why I posted it. Usually the ones I have seen in the past have an slightly curved hilts. There is a hollowed section or hole in the butt of the hilt that extends about a third of the way down and I can see the end of the pesi.

Lew

[kai]

Hello Lew,

Good Sumatran blade, I guess.

I also don't think that the hilt is original; seems more like a western hemisphere replacement...

Regards,
Kai

[asomotif]

The hilt is indeed a bit western influenced imho.
Enclosed one I recenlty bought for comparison.
Also not the most elaborate of hiltforms.

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo everybody,

As the Keris Panjang is extant all over the archipelago, I would lean towards a Nusa Tenggara hilt (MVHO, anyway).

Best.

[Flavio]

Hi all! on the first pages of Van Z's book there is a wonderful executioner keris with a handle of the same shape of Lew's keris
Regards

Flavio

[Bill]

Some time ago, I tried to find out about these. Not a lot of good information available. I did read that many were of high quality fittings, as the people that wore them had the power of justice. The blade looks excellent & the simple hilt may be because it was actually used for executions, where many may be more of a status symbol.

[Lew]

This is a pic of the butt of the hilt on my keris.

Lew

[kai]

I did read that many were of high quality fittings, as the people that wore them had the power of justice. The blade looks excellent & the simple hilt may be because it was actually used for executions, where many may be more of a status symbol.

The traditional hilt should do much better for such a use than a round hilt.

If I understand correctly, this method of execution was regarded as an honor (saving face), especially if done with some "official" keris. Otherwise, the person's own keris would have been used or, with person's of lesser status, some "less desirable" method...

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

on the first pages of Van Z's book there is a wonderful executioner keris with a handle of the same shape of Lew's keris

The one in Albert's book is carved (and slightly asymmetrical) while Lew's seems to be turned. Also, the "mendak" doesn't look Indonesian. The hole apparently going completely through the hilt doesn't help to convince me of its Indonesian origin either.

Regards,
Kai