Relic of a Javanese kriss whith original warangka

Bejo · 2nd September 2018, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean

Nice mendaks collection, thank you! It seems to me that some pieces may be from Central Java but not a big deal!
Regards

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I agree Jean. Here are some mendaks that were presented here a while back as East Jawa.

Hi,

If you don't mind, which of those mendak are maybe from Central Java? I upload the picture with numbers.

I still have confusion in determine mendak number 18. It looks like Jogja mendak, but I also feel like it is from East Java.

Thank you,

Best regards,

Joe

David · 2nd September 2018, 06:37 PM

Well, my understanding of traditional East Jawa mendaks is that that they are generally plainer and not usually bejeweled.
I could be wrong, but i would place #18 as Jogyakarta.

Of course, the bottom line for our friend Athanase here is that no one is really currently making East Madura style mendaks and antique ones will cost quite a bit so he will probably be best off settling for a more available style of Javanese mendak which will in the end still look much better that what is currently in place.

Jean · 2nd September 2018, 08:22 PM

Joe, if you have access to the reference book "Keris Jawa" written by the late Haryono Haryoguritno, please have a look at pages 280 & 281 for viewing the various styles of mendaks from Central Java.
Regards

A. G. Maisey · 2nd September 2018, 10:47 PM

East Jawa/Madura mendak can look like Central Jawa mendak.

Central Jawa mendak can look like East Jawa/Madura mendak.

Solo mendak can look like Jogja mendak and vice versa.

Pesisiran mendak can look like anything at all.

Far East Jawa mendak --- like Blambangan --- can look like Bali wewer or incorporate elements of wewer design.

You need to look at the way a mendak is made to have a reasonable chance of guessing where it is from, for example, nearly all East Jawa/Madura mendak are made as a little cup, that is, no internal supporting construction. With mendak that have internal construction you need to ensure that they will fit the recess on the bottom of a hilt, or that where there is no recess, that the internal construction does not interfere with a neat seat onto the hilt base. Above all, you need to ensure that there is harmony of proportion and design, and that is not always easy.

Then, of course, we have solid cast or turned mendak, and they can be a real problem.

Personally, I have a bit of difficulty in looking at a picture of a mendak and saying it is one thing or the other, without qualification.

Here are some cast and turned mendak, some extremely old, some were excavated, and a few fine quality standard mendak for comparison.

Jean · 3rd September 2018, 09:05 AM

Thank you Alan, impressive collection of old pieces!
Regards

Bejo · 3rd September 2018, 03:51 PM

Than you all for the explanations.

Best regards,

Joe

Athanase · 28th October 2018, 02:39 PM

Hello,

Among the mendaks I had in stock, I found four that have the right dimensions.
The numbers 1 and 2 are copper and were formerly plated with silver.
Number 3 is silver and number 4 is brass.

In your opinion, which of his mendak is the best suitable with the rest of Keris?

2nd September 2018, 10:47 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,989	East Jawa/Madura mendak can look like Central Jawa mendak. Central Jawa mendak can look like East Jawa/Madura mendak. Solo mendak can look like Jogja mendak and vice versa. Pesisiran mendak can look like anything at all. Far East Jawa mendak --- like Blambangan --- can look like Bali wewer or incorporate elements of wewer design. You need to look at the way a mendak is made to have a reasonable chance of guessing where it is from, for example, nearly all East Jawa/Madura mendak are made as a little cup, that is, no internal supporting construction. With mendak that have internal construction you need to ensure that they will fit the recess on the bottom of a hilt, or that where there is no recess, that the internal construction does not interfere with a neat seat onto the hilt base. Above all, you need to ensure that there is harmony of proportion and design, and that is not always easy. Then, of course, we have solid cast or turned mendak, and they can be a real problem. Personally, I have a bit of difficulty in looking at a picture of a mendak and saying it is one thing or the other, without qualification. Here are some cast and turned mendak, some extremely old, some were excavated, and a few fine quality standard mendak for comparison. Attached Images

28th October 2018, 02:39 PM	#7
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 417	Hello, Among the mendaks I had in stock, I found four that have the right dimensions. The numbers 1 and 2 are copper and were formerly plated with silver. Number 3 is silver and number 4 is brass. In your opinion, which of his mendak is the best suitable with the rest of Keris? Attached Images

2nd September 2018, 06:37 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Well, my understanding of traditional East Jawa mendaks is that that they are generally plainer and not usually bejeweled. I could be wrong, but i would place #18 as Jogyakarta. Of course, the bottom line for our friend Athanase here is that no one is really currently making East Madura style mendaks and antique ones will cost quite a bit so he will probably be best off settling for a more available style of Javanese mendak which will in the end still look much better that what is currently in place.

2nd September 2018, 08:22 PM	#3
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	Joe, if you have access to the reference book "Keris Jawa" written by the late Haryono Haryoguritno, please have a look at pages 280 & 281 for viewing the various styles of mendaks from Central Java. Regards

3rd September 2018, 09:05 AM	#5
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	Thank you Alan, impressive collection of old pieces! Regards

3rd September 2018, 03:51 PM	#6
Bejo Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: East Java, Indonesia Posts: 42	Than you all for the explanations. Best regards, Joe