Nice Java Keris?

Jean · 1st July 2011, 08:55 AM

Hello Alan,
Thank you for your thorough and interesting evaluation of this kris. Could you tell us from and until approximately which dates did the Koripan smiths manufacture such types of blades? I think that I may have a number of these blades in my collection.
Thank you and best regards
Jean

A. G. Maisey · 1st July 2011, 09:04 AM

Jean, I don't think that this is known for a fact.

I have been told from the first half of the 18th century through to about 1825, however, other people have claimed that they were still producing blades into the beginning of the 20th century, but I have never seen a blade that could be classified as Koripan that was so young as that. The condition that most of them are in, I'd be prepared to accept that they might have begun at least around the beginning of the 18th century.

There are an enormous number of the Koripan blades around.In most cases if a dealer in Central Jawa offers one for sale they will be presented as Mataram, and they are Mataram style, but bigger, coarser and less refined than any of the genuine Mataram sub-types.

VVV · 1st July 2011, 09:13 AM

Thanks to all that has responded, shared their experience and helped me with specific comments!
This has been very helpful and educating. Now and then you have to give it a try even if Javanese blades aren't among my main collection fields.

Michael

David · 1st July 2011, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

This has been very helpful and educating. Now and then you have to give it a try even if Javanese blades aren't among my main collection fields.

Michael, while it is IMO desirable to learn everything possible about any keris we own and i personally strive to take the bad news with the good, ultimately the only thing that really matters is whether or not you like the blade. For what ever reason you found yourself drawn to this particular keris. I have many keris in my collection that are far from being masterpieces of their form, yet they called to me for one reason or another and for most of them i am still very happy to have them in my collection. I think there is more going on with keris then merely technical artistic excellence.

VVV · 1st July 2011, 04:33 PM

So true David, that was the reason I bought it from the beginning and why I will keep it.

Michael

PenangsangII · 2nd July 2011, 07:38 AM

old or new doesnt really matter as long as its made by someone with the knowledge of an empu. Based on fotos, i would say the blade was made by someone with sufficient knowlege in keris craftmanship, esp with regards to the measurement of blumbangan, the luks, the sogokan and the pucuk. However, the garap of the pamor is quite rough.

A. G. Maisey · 2nd July 2011, 07:54 AM

Regrettably, this keris was not made by an empu.

Pandai keris perhaps, but not empu.

1st July 2011, 08:55 AM	#1
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	Hello Alan, Thank you for your thorough and interesting evaluation of this kris. Could you tell us from and until approximately which dates did the Koripan smiths manufacture such types of blades? I think that I may have a number of these blades in my collection. Thank you and best regards Jean

1st July 2011, 09:04 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,056	Jean, I don't think that this is known for a fact. I have been told from the first half of the 18th century through to about 1825, however, other people have claimed that they were still producing blades into the beginning of the 20th century, but I have never seen a blade that could be classified as Koripan that was so young as that. The condition that most of them are in, I'd be prepared to accept that they might have begun at least around the beginning of the 18th century. There are an enormous number of the Koripan blades around.In most cases if a dealer in Central Jawa offers one for sale they will be presented as Mataram, and they are Mataram style, but bigger, coarser and less refined than any of the genuine Mataram sub-types.

1st July 2011, 09:13 AM	#3
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks to all that has responded, shared their experience and helped me with specific comments! This has been very helpful and educating. Now and then you have to give it a try even if Javanese blades aren't among my main collection fields. Michael

1st July 2011, 04:33 PM	#5
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	So true David, that was the reason I bought it from the beginning and why I will keep it. Michael

2nd July 2011, 07:38 AM	#6
PenangsangII Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 401	old or new doesnt really matter as long as its made by someone with the knowledge of an empu. Based on fotos, i would say the blade was made by someone with sufficient knowlege in keris craftmanship, esp with regards to the measurement of blumbangan, the luks, the sogokan and the pucuk. However, the garap of the pamor is quite rough.

2nd July 2011, 07:54 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,056	Regrettably, this keris was not made by an empu. Pandai keris perhaps, but not empu.