Keris Selit

A. G. Maisey · 15th November 2017, 10:41 AM

I'd forgotten it was in that book, and I've also forgotten the exact book it was in. It might have been an Oxford in Asia reprint, something like "In the Forests of the Far East" or some similar title, I came across it when I was about 16 or 18, it was an eye witness account, they wrapped the keris in a paste of sulphur and salt and rice water and in a banana leaf for 7 days, I used to wrap the blade in plastic. I haven't seen it since I first read it, but the book it was in I still have, I'd just need to find it --- something I am unlikely to ever do.

Gustav · 15th November 2017, 11:10 AM

Newbold, "Political and Statistical Account of the British Settlements in the Straits of Malacca (...)", 1839, quotation from a Malayan MS on Krisses and process of damasking.

"How to damask Krises. - Place on the blade a mixture of boiled rice, sulphur, and salt beat together, first taking the precaution to cover the edges of the weapon with a thin coat of virgin wax. After this has remained on seven days, the damask will have risen on surface; take the composition off, and immerse the blade in the water of a young cocoa-nut, or the juice of a pine-apple, for seven days longer, and wash it well with the juice of a sour lemon. After the rust has been cleared away, rub it with warangan (arsenic) dissolved in lime juice; wash it well with spring water; dry, and anoint it with a cocoa-nut oil."

A very nice Keris Selit, David, in fact one of the nicest I have seen so far. Unusual to see one with a manipulated (more elaborate) Pamor. For so many of these KS blade wasn't the important part anymore. Yours is an exception.

David · 15th November 2017, 01:00 PM

Thanks for your comments Gustav. I assume that this British settlement was on the Peninsula side of the straits, since as far as i know the English didn't have any settlements on the Sumatra side. The description you quote here does seem to establish both the process of staining and the use of warangan (as well as sulfur) to stain keris blades on the peninsula as early as 1839.

RSWORD · 15th November 2017, 01:04 PM

Since David asked to share examples I will share 4 from my collection.

RSWORD · 15th November 2017, 01:05 PM

Example 2

RSWORD · 15th November 2017, 01:06 PM

Example 3

RSWORD · 15th November 2017, 01:07 PM

Example 4. Comments welcomed on the 4. Thanks!

15th November 2017, 01:04 PM	#4
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	Since David asked to share examples I will share 4 from my collection. Attached Images

15th November 2017, 01:05 PM	#5
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	Example 2 Attached Images

15th November 2017, 01:06 PM	#6
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	Example 3 Attached Images

15th November 2017, 01:07 PM	#7
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	Example 4. Comments welcomed on the 4. Thanks! Attached Images

15th November 2017, 10:41 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	I'd forgotten it was in that book, and I've also forgotten the exact book it was in. It might have been an Oxford in Asia reprint, something like "In the Forests of the Far East" or some similar title, I came across it when I was about 16 or 18, it was an eye witness account, they wrapped the keris in a paste of sulphur and salt and rice water and in a banana leaf for 7 days, I used to wrap the blade in plastic. I haven't seen it since I first read it, but the book it was in I still have, I'd just need to find it --- something I am unlikely to ever do.

15th November 2017, 11:10 AM	#2
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,273	Newbold, "Political and Statistical Account of the British Settlements in the Straits of Malacca (...)", 1839, quotation from a Malayan MS on Krisses and process of damasking. "How to damask Krises. - Place on the blade a mixture of boiled rice, sulphur, and salt beat together, first taking the precaution to cover the edges of the weapon with a thin coat of virgin wax. After this has remained on seven days, the damask will have risen on surface; take the composition off, and immerse the blade in the water of a young cocoa-nut, or the juice of a pine-apple, for seven days longer, and wash it well with the juice of a sour lemon. After the rust has been cleared away, rub it with warangan (arsenic) dissolved in lime juice; wash it well with spring water; dry, and anoint it with a cocoa-nut oil." A very nice Keris Selit, David, in fact one of the nicest I have seen so far. Unusual to see one with a manipulated (more elaborate) Pamor. For so many of these KS blade wasn't the important part anymore. Yours is an exception.

15th November 2017, 01:00 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Thanks for your comments Gustav. I assume that this British settlement was on the Peninsula side of the straits, since as far as i know the English didn't have any settlements on the Sumatra side. The description you quote here does seem to establish both the process of staining and the use of warangan (as well as sulfur) to stain keris blades on the peninsula as early as 1839.