A comparison of Javan blades

RSWORD · 26th August 2014, 12:41 PM

Example #2. A heavily textured blade with very black finish.

RSWORD · 26th August 2014, 12:43 PM

Example #3. Unusual blade in that it is narrow at the hilt and widens towards the center. No visible pamor but some lamination lines visible.

RSWORD · 26th August 2014, 12:45 PM

Example #4. Very topographical/textured blade.

RSWORD · 26th August 2014, 12:47 PM

Example #5. A very robust/stout blade.

RSWORD · 26th August 2014, 12:48 PM

Example #6. Long blade with very fine gold work at top of ganja.

David · 26th August 2014, 09:20 PM

I think there is a good possibility that blades 1 & 2 are from Madura, not Jawa. I wouldn't even want to start throwing around dates for these blades, though blade #2 comes off to me as being fairly contemporary.

A. G. Maisey · 26th August 2014, 10:55 PM

OK, I'll bite, but as stated, this is a guessing game.

Guessing, and based on what I can see in the photos.

I am not basing my guesses on most of the things I would rely upon if I were able to examine these keris. This means that anything I say here could be contradicted with better photos or with handling of the blade.
I would like to be able to avoid tangguh/classification, but regrettably I will be compelled to use a little input from this source.

#1 --- North Coast/Tuban, before 1800

#2 --- Madura (Sumenep) 1980's

#3 ---Central Jawa, inferior work, possibly re-shaped, 19th century

#4 --- North Coast, tending to East Jawa; physically the form may related to Tuban, but the pamor work shows Madura influence. Close magnified examination of the construction and material would be necessary to form a defensible opinion, but in compliance with the "rules of the game", I'd give it as 19th century.

#5 --- Central Jawa under the influence of Ngayogyakarta, HB, 19th century. Note "influence of", I am not saying that this is a kraton standard keris, I am saying it is influenced by kraton standards:- the maker had a very good try but didn't quite get there. This is a nice keris. 19th century.

#6 --- Stylistically this would pass for Mataram Sultan Agung, but it is very probably a much later copy, only close magnified examination would confirm or disallow this guess. The kinatah work is probably late 19th century --- and the keris itself may also date from this time. Another nice keris.

26th August 2014, 12:41 PM	#1
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	Example #2. A heavily textured blade with very black finish. Attached Images

26th August 2014, 12:43 PM	#2
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	Example #3. Unusual blade in that it is narrow at the hilt and widens towards the center. No visible pamor but some lamination lines visible. Attached Images

26th August 2014, 12:45 PM	#3
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	Example #4. Very topographical/textured blade. Attached Images

26th August 2014, 12:47 PM	#4
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	Example #5. A very robust/stout blade. Attached Images

26th August 2014, 12:48 PM	#5
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	Example #6. Long blade with very fine gold work at top of ganja. Attached Images

26th August 2014, 09:20 PM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	I think there is a good possibility that blades 1 & 2 are from Madura, not Jawa. I wouldn't even want to start throwing around dates for these blades, though blade #2 comes off to me as being fairly contemporary.

26th August 2014, 10:55 PM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,990	OK, I'll bite, but as stated, this is a guessing game. Guessing, and based on what I can see in the photos. I am not basing my guesses on most of the things I would rely upon if I were able to examine these keris. This means that anything I say here could be contradicted with better photos or with handling of the blade. I would like to be able to avoid tangguh/classification, but regrettably I will be compelled to use a little input from this source. #1 --- North Coast/Tuban, before 1800 #2 --- Madura (Sumenep) 1980's #3 ---Central Jawa, inferior work, possibly re-shaped, 19th century #4 --- North Coast, tending to East Jawa; physically the form may related to Tuban, but the pamor work shows Madura influence. Close magnified examination of the construction and material would be necessary to form a defensible opinion, but in compliance with the "rules of the game", I'd give it as 19th century. #5 --- Central Jawa under the influence of Ngayogyakarta, HB, 19th century. Note "influence of", I am not saying that this is a kraton standard keris, I am saying it is influenced by kraton standards:- the maker had a very good try but didn't quite get there. This is a nice keris. 19th century. #6 --- Stylistically this would pass for Mataram Sultan Agung, but it is very probably a much later copy, only close magnified examination would confirm or disallow this guess. The kinatah work is probably late 19th century --- and the keris itself may also date from this time. Another nice keris.