Peninsular or Sumatra?

Gustav · 20th June 2011, 12:24 PM

I have an impression, the 20 cent. Peninsular keris have the gonjo more often completely out of sampir, it seems to be almost like a sort of proud extravagance.

The ensemble looks genuine to me.

DAHenkel · 20th June 2011, 02:07 PM

Well from the pictures at least the fit looks more or less good although a bit loose. Its possible there's a bit of crud down in the bottom of the batang that's keeping it from setting down quite perfectly. Might be worth a little bit of digging if you have the right tools for the job. could also just be shrinkage/warping. Again if you have a tool that will serve you might be able to get it to set down just a bit more nicely...

The blade is clearly late-ish and not quite as refined as they were in the heyday of the mid-late 19th c but its consistent with N.E. Peninsular work of the period.

VVV · 20th June 2011, 04:46 PM

Yes, it's quite usual with the blade sitting higher on Sumatran and Peninsular Malay blades. But if you look from the top the ganja isn't even close to fit.
Usually it's more that the scabbards are a bit tight or maybe have shrunk in Europe.
Well, I like it anyway and thanks for the additional information on the blade.

Michael

A. G. Maisey · 20th June 2011, 11:11 PM

The custom of sitting a blade high in the scabbard is not confined to Peninsula blades, it was also practiced in old Balinese dress, and there seems to be some indication that it may also have been practiced in early Jawa.

However, in all examples I have seen, no matter where from, the line of the top of the gonjo parallels the line of the top of the scabbard, and it is only the gonjo, or even part of the gonjo that stands proud.

If this scabbard was indeed made for this blade, I am inclined to Dave Henckel's view, that proper entry of the blade could be being hindered by an obstruction in the gandar.

VVV · 22nd June 2011, 07:36 AM

Thanks Alan,

Interesting that in the old days the keris was sitting high in those regions too.
Maybe because it's easier to draw it in case the scabbard is tight?

Michael

A. G. Maisey · 22nd June 2011, 08:53 AM

Possibly.

20th June 2011, 12:24 PM	#1
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,295	I have an impression, the 20 cent. Peninsular keris have the gonjo more often completely out of sampir, it seems to be almost like a sort of proud extravagance. The ensemble looks genuine to me.

20th June 2011, 02:07 PM	#2
DAHenkel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 125	Well from the pictures at least the fit looks more or less good although a bit loose. Its possible there's a bit of crud down in the bottom of the batang that's keeping it from setting down quite perfectly. Might be worth a little bit of digging if you have the right tools for the job. could also just be shrinkage/warping. Again if you have a tool that will serve you might be able to get it to set down just a bit more nicely... The blade is clearly late-ish and not quite as refined as they were in the heyday of the mid-late 19th c but its consistent with N.E. Peninsular work of the period.

20th June 2011, 04:46 PM	#3
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Yes, it's quite usual with the blade sitting higher on Sumatran and Peninsular Malay blades. But if you look from the top the ganja isn't even close to fit. Usually it's more that the scabbards are a bit tight or maybe have shrunk in Europe. Well, I like it anyway and thanks for the additional information on the blade. Michael

20th June 2011, 11:11 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	The custom of sitting a blade high in the scabbard is not confined to Peninsula blades, it was also practiced in old Balinese dress, and there seems to be some indication that it may also have been practiced in early Jawa. However, in all examples I have seen, no matter where from, the line of the top of the gonjo parallels the line of the top of the scabbard, and it is only the gonjo, or even part of the gonjo that stands proud. If this scabbard was indeed made for this blade, I am inclined to Dave Henckel's view, that proper entry of the blade could be being hindered by an obstruction in the gandar.

22nd June 2011, 07:36 AM	#5
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks Alan, Interesting that in the old days the keris was sitting high in those regions too. Maybe because it's easier to draw it in case the scabbard is tight? Michael

22nd June 2011, 08:53 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	Possibly.