Slightly tricky one Rick but it is probably not Peninsular or at least not from the Northeast Peninsula. These I like to categorize as "Straits Bugis" or just "Straits" keris because by the beginning of the 19th century there was already very little distinction between the Malay and Bugis peoples in the region. It could have come from anywhere up to Northeastern Sumatra, down through Riau or as far south as Palembang. The blade looks like many South Sumatran blades I've seen dressed in Palembang dress. These blades are so common I suspect they could have been trade blades. Probably produced in South Sumatra for the Malay/Bugis market circa 19th c. The sheath looks like Riau or Eastern Sumatra. They're very similar to Terengganu in form but there is little to distinguish them and they tend to run together. As a general rule the wood selection is slightly different with the Terengganu preference for wood with more figuring and dark color bands. The Riau/Sumatran types tend to be less boxy and fuller (perhaps buxom is the word
?) but again somewhere in between they overlap. I assume the hilt is not original to the piece but it is appropriate, more or less. Pendokok is Bugis but is not a perfect fit. Still, again it will serve. Nice piece...
13th March 2010, 02:47 AM
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