Javanese keris for comment

Paul de Souza · 14th January 2005, 10:37 AM

Hello All,

Since we are on the topic of Blarak Nigirid, I have what I think is an old piece. The keris, while it has a Madura hilt, comes in a Malay sarong of good fit. The sarong shows age and good patina. I am not sure if it is a Peninsular/Riau/Bugis or Javanese blade. I took some pictures as best I could and you can see that the Blarak Nigirid pamor does not reach the edge - showing the steel core? or is it just wear? It will be nice to hear your comments on this enigma. I wonder how old it is. Empu Kumis - will be grateful for your comments.

BluErf · 14th January 2005, 12:29 PM

Just some thoughts: The dapur does not look like what the Madurese smiths usually make -- notice the way the upper half of the blade tapers to a narrow sharp point.

I have also seen an old bugis blade from the collection of our vey own Dave Henkel with very similar pamor. The corrosion is also very similar. The fact that the blade is so corroded yet the metal surface is still generally intact (i.e. no cracks or forging flaws showing) says a lot about the quality of the metal and the good fusion between the pamor and the steel core.

I am inclined to think this is an old blade.

empu kumis · 14th January 2005, 10:38 PM

Hello Paul,
nice to hear from you. Have you got my message ? Your keris is an older one. This kind has been made in Madura as well in Yogya but seldom in Solo. I never saw a pamor like this from a Bugi-blade. Pamor blarak ngirid is a pmor miring but this is of the pamor puntiran family (torsion) one staff left and one right with correct slorok. Groneman mentioned the name sekar polo which also not used in Solo. This is also a pamor difficult to make because the pamorlines should meet in a proper way. Could be a stray find hopefully not "yang di larung". I think you know the wutuh is gone.

Regards

EK

14th January 2005, 10:37 AM	#1
Paul de Souza Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 66	Hello All, Since we are on the topic of Blarak Nigirid, I have what I think is an old piece. The keris, while it has a Madura hilt, comes in a Malay sarong of good fit. The sarong shows age and good patina. I am not sure if it is a Peninsular/Riau/Bugis or Javanese blade. I took some pictures as best I could and you can see that the Blarak Nigirid pamor does not reach the edge - showing the steel core? or is it just wear? It will be nice to hear your comments on this enigma. I wonder how old it is. Empu Kumis - will be grateful for your comments. Attached Images

14th January 2005, 12:29 PM	#2
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Just some thoughts: The dapur does not look like what the Madurese smiths usually make -- notice the way the upper half of the blade tapers to a narrow sharp point. I have also seen an old bugis blade from the collection of our vey own Dave Henkel with very similar pamor. The corrosion is also very similar. The fact that the blade is so corroded yet the metal surface is still generally intact (i.e. no cracks or forging flaws showing) says a lot about the quality of the metal and the good fusion between the pamor and the steel core. I am inclined to think this is an old blade.

14th January 2005, 10:38 PM	#3
empu kumis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 17	Hello Paul, nice to hear from you. Have you got my message ? Your keris is an older one. This kind has been made in Madura as well in Yogya but seldom in Solo. I never saw a pamor like this from a Bugi-blade. Pamor blarak ngirid is a pmor miring but this is of the pamor puntiran family (torsion) one staff left and one right with correct slorok. Groneman mentioned the name sekar polo which also not used in Solo. This is also a pamor difficult to make because the pamorlines should meet in a proper way. Could be a stray find hopefully not "yang di larung". I think you know the wutuh is gone. Regards EK