Period Pics Of Keris In Hand or Being Worn

Laowang · 1st April 2017, 08:25 PM

Kai, I would agree that the photos I posted can be considered "staged" in the sense that they are formal portraits in traditional dress no different from how a modern Japanese woman might sit for a formal photographic portrait in a kimono. The portrait sitters probably did not dress like that everyday, but rather for special occasions (just like my example of the modern Japanese woman). However, the dress itself and mode of wearing the keris appear culturally and historically accurate.

Laowang · 1st April 2017, 08:29 PM

Here's an intriguing photograph from the Tropenmuseum's collection taken in 1910-20. Note that the subject is wearing a European-style jacket combined with his keris.

Laowang · 1st April 2017, 08:30 PM

Photo attached, this time.

Laowang · 1st April 2017, 08:31 PM

Upon reflection, it occurs to me that the first photo I posted (also from 1910-20) shows a similar mix of Western & traditional clothing on two of the portrait sitters.

kai · 1st April 2017, 11:07 PM

Yes, nobility having pics taken by colonial photographers are probably more likely to dress closer to European style than possibly usual for them (jackets, shoes, etc.).

BTW, my comment was meant on colonial pics in general, not specifically directed at those attached by Lawing and David...

Regards,
Kai

Green · 4th April 2017, 03:43 PM

as a comparison, here is the latest picture of the current and the new king of Malaysia (the king is rotated among the sultans of various states and each king reign for five years) wearing the royal regalia : notice the two kerisses . The new king is from the state of Kelantan.

Paul de Souza · 6th April 2017, 11:53 AM

An interesting tidbit - correct me if I am wrong Green - the keris blade the Agong is holding is made from 9 different royal keris taken from each of the 9 states with Sultans. They were smelted together and used to form the State Keris the Agong is holding.

I remember coming across a book by a British colonial administrator detailing the campaign to put down a rebellion in Kelantan in at the turn of the 19th-20th century. The rebellion was against the Sultan and the Sultan had British help to put it down. There was a picture of a detachment of loyal local Malay militia loyal to the Sultan with their keris in their sarong for all to see. Usually in formal or peace time photos, the keris would be covered with a flap of the sarong or absent all together. Alas, I cannot remember the author's name or the title of the book. It was the days before the handy phone-camera.

1st April 2017, 08:30 PM	#3
Laowang Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: 40˚00' N, 83˚00' W Posts: 52	Photo attached, this time. Attached Images

4th April 2017, 03:43 PM	#6
Green Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Malaysia Posts: 320	as a comparison, here is the latest picture of the current and the new king of Malaysia (the king is rotated among the sultans of various states and each king reign for five years) wearing the royal regalia : notice the two kerisses . The new king is from the state of Kelantan. Attached Images

1st April 2017, 08:25 PM	#1
Laowang Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: 40˚00' N, 83˚00' W Posts: 52	Kai, I would agree that the photos I posted can be considered "staged" in the sense that they are formal portraits in traditional dress no different from how a modern Japanese woman might sit for a formal photographic portrait in a kimono. The portrait sitters probably did not dress like that everyday, but rather for special occasions (just like my example of the modern Japanese woman). However, the dress itself and mode of wearing the keris appear culturally and historically accurate.

1st April 2017, 08:29 PM	#2
Laowang Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: 40˚00' N, 83˚00' W Posts: 52	Here's an intriguing photograph from the Tropenmuseum's collection taken in 1910-20. Note that the subject is wearing a European-style jacket combined with his keris.

1st April 2017, 08:31 PM	#4
Laowang Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: 40˚00' N, 83˚00' W Posts: 52	Upon reflection, it occurs to me that the first photo I posted (also from 1910-20) shows a similar mix of Western & traditional clothing on two of the portrait sitters.

1st April 2017, 11:07 PM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Yes, nobility having pics taken by colonial photographers are probably more likely to dress closer to European style than possibly usual for them (jackets, shoes, etc.). BTW, my comment was meant on colonial pics in general, not specifically directed at those attached by Lawing and David... Regards, Kai

6th April 2017, 11:53 AM	#7
Paul de Souza Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 66	An interesting tidbit - correct me if I am wrong Green - the keris blade the Agong is holding is made from 9 different royal keris taken from each of the 9 states with Sultans. They were smelted together and used to form the State Keris the Agong is holding. I remember coming across a book by a British colonial administrator detailing the campaign to put down a rebellion in Kelantan in at the turn of the 19th-20th century. The rebellion was against the Sultan and the Sultan had British help to put it down. There was a picture of a detachment of loyal local Malay militia loyal to the Sultan with their keris in their sarong for all to see. Usually in formal or peace time photos, the keris would be covered with a flap of the sarong or absent all together. Alas, I cannot remember the author's name or the title of the book. It was the days before the handy phone-camera.