Keris Handle / Hilts Appreciation

[David]

[QUOTE=ferrylaki]

Originally Posted by rasjid

Hi everyone,

A very interesting topic.
I recently focus my observation on my Jogjakarta and Surakarta Hilt, and I finally come with a short conclusion about "cecekan" in keris hilt.
I found this small "mark' on my hilt.
I've search for the same "mark" on several keris hilt (with various "cecekan" quality) and I found that the better keris hilt always shows this "mark".

I haven't take the picture on Surakartan hilt yet, but I know its there indeed.
come on, have A look at your keris hilt, it might have the same "mark" as mine.
it's a very small carving but comes in a very good detail.
this is my best Jagjakarta hilt, kemuning wood with chatoyant" or, "nginden" .

Interesting observation. I must say that i did a quick check of what i know to be my finest examples of Jogyakarta and Surakarta hilts. I chose ones that were deeply and expertly cut and also had pierced-throught parts of the carving as well as quality woods. I am uncertain of the wood used on the Jogya, but is of the "crystal clear" variety and beautifully finished. The Surakarta hilt i examined is a fine nginden example. On the Jogya there is indeed some similar marks, but rather than merely being carved into the wood they are worked into the sculptural relief carving of the cecekan. The Surakarta example, which is both, IMHO, a finer wood and a finer carving does not have this feature at all so i am uncertain that it can be seen as a specific indicator of quality.

[ferrylaki]

[QUOTE=David]

Originally Posted by ferrylaki

Interesting observation. I must say that i did a quick check of what i know to be my finest examples of Jogyakarta and Surakarta hilts. I chose ones that were deeply and expertly cut and also had pierced-throught parts of the carving as well as quality woods. I am uncertain of the wood used on the Jogya, but is of the "crystal clear" variety and beautifully finished. The Surakarta hilt i examined is a fine nginden example. On the Jogya there is indeed some similar marks, but rather than merely being carved into the wood they are worked into the sculptural relief carving of the cecekan. The Surakarta example, which is both, IMHO, a finer wood and a finer carving does not have this feature at all so i am uncertain that it can be seen as a specific indicator of quality.

I only have a few example of Jogja hilt.
I must say that the 'mark' does not appear in every jogja hilt.
this particular 'mark' could be indeed shows an advanced carving tecnique,
or is it just another addition to show a special skill of the hilt maker.
I did compare my hilt with my friend's thus we found the 'mark' does appear in a good quality jogja hilt.

[rasjid]

@Ferrylaki, from your picture second from left, I also have a few hilts (jogja) that shows the vertical lines both left and right side of the carving.
I believe it is the trademark from certain maker or area which always have similar or higher grade of carving but I'm not saying without this marking, other hilts are not as good.

I have a few of this type and quite happy with the quality.

regards,
rasjid