Antique Minangkabau Keris for Comments

kai · 23rd September 2017, 11:44 AM

Hello David,

Quote:

The more i look at this keris the less it looks Minangkabau to me. The pendokok perhaps, but the rest of the dress looks wrong and the blade looks even less likely. It's a nice one though.

Wasn't going to open that can of worms...

I agree that the selut/pendokok - considering that it is usually easy to change - lends the weakest support for placing an ensemble. The scabbard would probably fit well with Riau or possibly eastern Sumatra.

I assume the blade to be rather small and I've seen Minang blades with isolated features resembling this example; need to look for any pics though.

The Minang traveled widely and it's not rare to see "mixed" examples. What other origin would you consider this blade being from?

Quote:

Age is always tricky. I would feel safe with 19th century, but would say 18th century was impossible.

I assume you meant to type:
"..., but would not say 18th century was impossible."

Regards,
Kai

Jean · 23rd September 2017, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

What other origin would you consider this blade being from?

Regards,
Kai

Hi Kai,
Do you know any proven specimen of a Minang blade with a curved ganja?
Regards

David · 23rd September 2017, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

I assume you meant to type:
"..., but would not say 18th century was impossible."

Regards,
Kai

Thanks Kai, that is indeed what i had intended to write. I have edited mu p[ost now to reflect that.

GIO · 23rd September 2017, 05:58 PM

Am I wrong or the blade has been shortened or reshaped ? It seems that the tip points at the wrong direction.

David · 23rd September 2017, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GIO

Am I wrong or the blade has been shortened or reshaped ? It seems that the tip points at the wrong direction.

You are not wrong Gio. Probably some length lost to erosion. Keris luks should always be odd and an even count of luks is most often due to lost length of the blade for one reason or another.

GIO · 25th September 2017, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

You are not wrong Gio. Probably some length lost to erosion. Keris luks should be od and an even count of luks is most often due to lost length of the blade for one reason or another.

Thanks for your suggestion, David. In fact I have never considered this aspect.

kulbuntet · 26th September 2017, 06:35 PM

Hi there,

Never the less the outcome of the origin and so on, nice blade. I agree with the others, that it is unlikely Minangkabau. And even not sure that the blade originated from Sumatra, but also not sure enough to provide good facts that it does not. Could you see if the grip is loose? And could you post a photo of the blade with tip up without the hulu, and one good close up of the peksi? This could give us some information. I am wondering if there are marks of the peksi been shortened, broken or intended the length it is.

Regards Michel

23rd September 2017, 05:58 PM	#4
GIO Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 328	Am I wrong or the blade has been shortened or reshaped ? It seems that the tip points at the wrong direction.

26th September 2017, 06:35 PM	#7
kulbuntet Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands Posts: 159	Hi there, Never the less the outcome of the origin and so on, nice blade. I agree with the others, that it is unlikely Minangkabau. And even not sure that the blade originated from Sumatra, but also not sure enough to provide good facts that it does not. Could you see if the grip is loose? And could you post a photo of the blade with tip up without the hulu, and one good close up of the peksi? This could give us some information. I am wondering if there are marks of the peksi been shortened, broken or intended the length it is. Regards Michel