Composite Sumatran keris?

BluErf · 16th March 2014, 06:34 AM

Hello! Long time no see!

I'm leaning towards Sumatra for this. The wood used for the batang looks like trembalao. Something we dont see in the Peninsula.

The blade looks like Straits Bigis/Riau-ish.

Pendoko looks Sumatran-like.

David · 16th March 2014, 01:52 PM

Hey Kai Wee! Nice to read you. I trust life is treating you well.
Thanks for adding your ideas on this one. Seems we have some fairly diverse ideas working here.
Is it just the wood choice that has you leaning towards Sumatra, or is there something about the sheath form itself? And where would you place this hilt?

A. G. Maisey · 16th March 2014, 08:22 PM

Yes Klungkung, it is certainly a very rare piece, in fact, it may be the only one of its kind.

BluErf · 18th March 2014, 03:41 PM

Thanks David. I got a bit rounder, so I guess life shouldn't be that bad

Yes, my view was largely based on the wood. It would have to be imported into the Peninsula, and I haven't seen this sort of wood on the batang of a peninsular keris. The closest wood is bongor, which looks like this:

BluErf · 18th March 2014, 03:44 PM

Alan, this looks like an 'interpretation' of a foreign keris sheath style, so it could indeed be the only one of its kind.

A. G. Maisey · 18th March 2014, 08:20 PM

Yes, possibly an interpretation, but I was thinking in terms of mating.

If it is mated, its a professional job, and a few years back there were a lot of mendak/pendogkok exactly like this one coming out of Pasar Turi, Surabaya, usually silver plated brass or copper, but there were a few genuine silver ones too. A mating job such as this one might be was pretty common in that place around 20 years ago.

David · 18th March 2014, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluErf

Thanks David. I got a bit rounder, so I guess life shouldn't be that bad

I believe that is often a direct result of a good marriage…

18th March 2014, 03:41 PM	#4
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Thanks David. I got a bit rounder, so I guess life shouldn't be that bad Yes, my view was largely based on the wood. It would have to be imported into the Peninsula, and I haven't seen this sort of wood on the batang of a peninsular keris. The closest wood is bongor, which looks like this: Attached Images

16th March 2014, 06:34 AM	#1
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hello! Long time no see! I'm leaning towards Sumatra for this. The wood used for the batang looks like trembalao. Something we dont see in the Peninsula. The blade looks like Straits Bigis/Riau-ish. Pendoko looks Sumatran-like.

16th March 2014, 01:52 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Hey Kai Wee! Nice to read you. I trust life is treating you well. Thanks for adding your ideas on this one. Seems we have some fairly diverse ideas working here. Is it just the wood choice that has you leaning towards Sumatra, or is there something about the sheath form itself? And where would you place this hilt?

16th March 2014, 08:22 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,989	Yes Klungkung, it is certainly a very rare piece, in fact, it may be the only one of its kind.

18th March 2014, 03:44 PM	#5
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Alan, this looks like an 'interpretation' of a foreign keris sheath style, so it could indeed be the only one of its kind.

18th March 2014, 08:20 PM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,989	Yes, possibly an interpretation, but I was thinking in terms of mating. If it is mated, its a professional job, and a few years back there were a lot of mendak/pendogkok exactly like this one coming out of Pasar Turi, Surabaya, usually silver plated brass or copper, but there were a few genuine silver ones too. A mating job such as this one might be was pretty common in that place around 20 years ago.